The Brokenness of Humanity Explained to a 7 Year Old

Earlier this week, the three littles and myself went to Meijer for a few things. As we were tumbling out of the vehicle, my seven year old asked me a very serious question. "Mom, did you know that everything on earth is in danger because of humans?"

How come the serious questions always come when you are the least prepared?

Instantly what came to mind was "Amanda, quick! Explain the plight of the eco-system as it relates to original sin -- this is a great teaching moment." Right. Got it. Problem: I've completely lost my ability to articulate, to have clear thoughts and to draw lines between conclusions and concepts.

"Well, yes, I did know that. Remember when you used to read your old children's Bible at night? Your favorite story was about Adam and Eve, remember?" So I rambled on about how after God had created Eve to be a companion for Adam, He gave them mandates to 'subdue and multiply.' How God had told them that they eat of any tree except from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. If they ate of it, they would surely die.

"Mom, that's not what I'm talking about." "Well, hold on, I'm getting there." I'm clicking Viv's car seat on top of the grocery cart, pulling Cameron out of the video cart, instructing Carter to sit on the bench with little brother.

I explained how Adam and Eve's decision to disobey God had introduced brokenness and sin into our once perfect world. It was because of their sin that we would have to experience death, hurt, sin, etc. I tried to draw a line from there to pollution to mismanagement of the world's natural resources.

"Mom, that's not what I'm talking about."

Maybe I should have just said, "Really? Tell me more!" I was so excited to have this big, teachable, memorable moment between us that I might have forgotten that he is 7 and a half and not 12 or 14. I think it might have been more important to let him talk and share about his day and what he learned at school.

Biggest takeaway: talk less, listen more. Both in my relationship to God, husband, children and others.

"God told me . . ."

About a year and a half ago or so I took the kids to the YMCA and after I worked out I took Carter, then age 6, to climb the rock wall. It was his second time trying. He made it about halfway up and then became frightened and wanted to come down. He asked me to try it. I only got about 2/3 of the way to the top before I was ready to call it quits. The wall is high and once you start realizing how high up you are it becomes a little frightening!

It was quiet for the first few minutes of the drive home. Then, from the back of the vehicle, Carter spoke up. "Mom. Next time, I'm going to make it to the top of the rock wall. God told me."

Gulp.

Now what? Do I let him try again in a few days, weeks, months, never??? I mean, surely, he's got to be making this up. I mean, I can't let him try again and then fail and then lose hope? I felt anxious and wanted to 'protect' him and furthermore (although I didn't realize it at the time) I wanted to 'protect' God from . . . what?

I'm ashamed to say that I dropped the ball. I didn't take Carter to the rock climbing wall. He didn't really ask, but I didn't really encourage him. I didn't want him to fail or God to fail him.

So here we are about a year and half later and one Saturday Jeff takes the kids out to a family day for work at a nearby camp where there all sorts of games, prizes, activities and *gasp* a rock climbing wall.

When I woke up (I work 3rd shift weekends) Jeff was all smiles telling me how much fun he and the kids had that morning. Cameron had been running all over the place, Vivian sat cheerfully in her stroller and Carter (now age 7.5) had fun playing games (by himself and with Cameron.)

"Oh, and guess what?" said my handsome husband beaming proudly. "Carter climbed the rock wall." I gulped. "He climbed all the way to the top, can you believe that?" My jaw dropped to the floor. I asked him how tall the rock wall was in comparison to the one at the YMCA. As tall, maybe taller. "Amanda, it was awesome! We were all cheering him on. When he was done, he got down and was so matter of fact. 'Well, I climbed to the top. I knew I could do it.' "

I guess God doesn't need me to insulate him from Carter's childlike faith, huh? I am happily put back into my proper place. And for that matter, I've learned that it's okay (good, even) for kids to fail sometimes. They learn valuable lessons when they mess up - and so do we.

'Little Lady'

Our kids are so amazing! I love the special, individual uniqueness that comes with each one. I have a short story about Cameron (age 3) yesterday . . .

Cameron is passionate about music. He loves to listen to it in the car non-stop -- when he picks a new favorite song, he insists that we listen to it over and over and over and over and . . . For Christmas Uncle Alan bought both of the boys each a real little guitar. Cameron plays his and sings at the top of his lungs -- daily.

Daddy had worked all night long and was sleeping. We live in a very small space on one floor so the kids had to be quiet if we are inside. As per usual, Cameron pulled out his guitar and started strumming a singing (this is never a quiet activity - think hard rock.) I informed him that he needed to put his guitar away that it wasn't a good time to play it. After first refusing me, he decided to comply (who wants to sit in time out?) albeit tearfully. He put it away in the closet of his bedroom and walked out into the living room tears streaking down his cheeks. He looked at me and then turned in the direction of his bedroom and waved and said, "Goodbye, Little Lady . . . "

"Cameron, who is 'Little Lady'?" He sniffled. "Is 'Little Lady' your guitar?" Sniffle. "Yep." Sniffle.

Who names their guitar? At three years old? *sigh* I love him.

Race Results

I ran the River Bank Run 10K today with my friend Laura. We've been training once a week together with our friend Rebekah who couldn't run today due to a serious sinus infection AND being awake all night due to Mucinex. Who knew? It was rainy and windy and gray and hard! I'm not feeling to well, either . . . I have a bad head cold, laryngitis, coughing fits, etc. If you know me at all, you know that I either a) don't fess up to being sick (some might call it denial) or b) don't get sick very often. Really, it's true. Jeff didn't want me to participate but I paid $36 to register and that's a hefty chunk of change out of my (very) little pocket book.

It was so fun! There were people stationed all along the race route cheering us on, mile markers with timers so you could check your time, water and Gatorade stations AND at the end they had water, watermelon, oranges, bananas, bagels, yogurt, granola bars AND a special pin that says 10K River Bank Run 2009 AND my RBR '09 t-shirt. All in all, this race is/was worth every dollar spent!

Our time (we stuck together!) was 58:15. We did do a short walk while drinking some water and Gatorade a little more than half way through. Just to think if we had kept running during our water walk we could have made it in 57:??! does drive me a little nutty.

We've decided that we (Laura, Rebekah and I) are going to keep our weekly running group together and aim for another race. We're looking at the Traverse City Cherry Festival - the Meijer Festival of Races coming this summer and ultimately, we'd like to train/run the Grand Rapids half marathon in October. Woot woot! Aim high, right? Too bad all of this running doesn't have me showing off a leaner physique (yet?!)

Mom's Night Out - a breathing space for moms who are pressed in by life

This Friday it's time for Mom's Night Out again. Our teaching session is 'Vacationing on a Dime' and we're theming the decor and the food around a Mexican vacation. Ole! This will be our last dinner get-together for the season . . . I can't believe we're finishing our second year!

Our theme for April was 'Dating and the Single Mom.' I want to share some pics with you so that you can see how special it is --- although it is best experienced in person so you can feel and hear what God is doing! I'm having trouble loading pictures right now but I'll keep on trying!