I lied to you.
I told you that everything was going to be ok…that daddy would always take care of you…
…and that monsters weren’t real.
We came back from our trip and I tried to put you to bed, but you remembered the monster you saw before we left. The one in your window, that looked like a frog.
I argued that you didn’t REALLY see any monsters—that they were just cartoons like Dora and the Cookie Monster.
But you argued better. You HAD seen something. Something dark. Something scary. Something MORE THAN A TALE.
Ok, maybe you didn’t. But maybe you did.
After all, it’s real. Evil is real. Danger is real. Death is real.
And whether or not you were facing it now, you will. WE ALL DO.
Sometimes we just try to ignore it. Drown it out. Distract ourselves. Run from it. Pretend it’s not happening.
But there is a war going on. A spiritual war. Between good and evil. And we are in the midst of it.
It’s not enough to live life as though it’s fiction. The same Bible that presents the truth that frees us shares this story of urgency.
But I’ve tried to sweep it under the rug…to only talk about life as though everything comes up roses--hoping that somehow, by positive thinking or just ignorance, good would naturally prevail.
But at some point, I have to look you kids in the eyes …me knowing the truth, you knowing the truth, and actually talk about the truth.
So here’s the truth, for when you’re old enough to understand:
- There are monsters, both human and spiritual and they will try to hurt you.
- Bad things will happen to you, and it will always break my heart
- I cannot guarantee that I will always be here for you, no matter how much I want to be.
- As long as I’m alive, I will love and comfort you and continue to introduce you to the One who CAN guarantee that He will never leave you or forget you.
- With God on your side, though evil comes, you never need to be afraid.
Love,
Daddy Ephesians 6:12-13
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Matthew 28:20
…” And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Thanks for that. It's always hard as parents to know how much to reveal to our little ones. There's a fine balance between scaring the bejeebers out of them and telling them the truth. And what I've found is that kids can handle much more than we think they can, especially when it's communicated in love and with the hope of Christ. Keep up the good daddying! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa. Just to clarify for anyone reading (as the Facebook comments have suggested), I'm not sharing all of this with Kali right now, but will as she's old enough to understand better.
ReplyDeleteI have stopped telling her the monsters don't exist, and instead begun to pray through God helping to protect us instead. The rest of the stuff will come, in time.
But I agree with you, Lisa, it amazes me how much they realize and can process.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks for the thought-provoking blog! You are a very gifted thinker! Not too many people think nowadays, but you help us to think about things that matter...things of eternal value that help us along today's path!
love ya man!
tim aka pt