OK, this is sort of cheating: I won these potted tulips at a baby shower over the weekend by guessing pretty much exactly how big around my co-worker's belly is. She's a very petite woman with the smallest 8-months-pregnant belly I've ever seen. So, you know how I guessed how big around she was? By using my belly in its normal un-pregnant state. Yes, my un-pregnant belly is the same size as my friend's pregnant one. Luckily, I have a sense of humor about these things. :-)
My own tulips are finally poking their heads out of the ground in my front yard. And, today I discovered that my garlic chives are sending up shoots already! Those are the best plants ever. Nothing eats them (except for us), and they are so hardy. I'm thinking about planting them around my entire garden this year to ward off the bugs from my other plants. I'm also thinking about doing that with onions and garlic.
I filled my birdbath last week! And the birds have been having bathing parties ever since. I get to watch them in action from my desk at home.
R is very excited for Thursday - not only is it our day together, but it's also the first day of spring! (And the day of his first dentist appointment - hopefully that goes well.) He's also excited for Easter and coloring eggs this week.
Tonight I read him the Easter story from his little toddler Bible. I wanted to save the Last Supper for Thursday, my own toned-down version of the crucifixion for Friday, etc., but he wanted to read them all tonight. I've taught him about how much God loves him and that Jesus is/was God's son, and he's got a few of the Old Testament stories down (tonight he made a sling out of his sock and talked about knocking down the giant), but I've shied away so far from anything that might scare him. Especially after he found the Good Samaritan story a few months ago and seemed to obsess about the man's injuries. Tonight he insisted on reading the next pages, so I did, although I admit I was nervous. The toddler Bible is very tame really, but there were two pictures of Jesus on the cross with nails in his hands and feet, and R was very concerned. He asked me if it hurt Jesus and when I told him it did, he cried a little. My poor sweet boy. I tried then to focus on the good news part of the empty tomb, but he kept flipping back to the cross pictures. I hope he doesn't have nightmares tonight. :-( I want him to know the full story but only when he's truly ready to process it. I'm in no hurry for him to know about the bad in the world.
However, I think he'll be okay. When we laid down to bed, he rolled over and stared at me with a crazy, silly look and said excitedly, "Let's stay up and talk all night!"
7 comments:
Sweetheart,
once again you have done the right thing. The concept of the cross is more than most adults can handle. Mention Jesus to anyone and the cross is the first thing they think about. The emptiness of the tomb is the foundation of Christianity, not the cross. The empathy of Rix for the man the Samaritan cared for demonstrates the wonderful values you have given him. The two of you see the meaning in the messages, not just the plots and the cast of characters. Not all humans possess humanity. The two of you do,
all of my love, always, daddy
I think your little one will be just fine. I am so glad spring is here. I have to take some pictures tonight myself.
Yes, you are laying a wonderful foundation for R, and the Bible says when he is older, he will not depart from it~~~I love that promise, and it's held true for all four of my adult children.
The Bible tells the good, the bad and the ugly ~~ that's why we can trust it.
LOL:)
Nicely done. It's some tough terrain to negotiate as an adult, let alone as a parent of a young child. Although who knows? Maybe R has a big enough imagination that "and on the third day, He rose" will make complete sense.
Bless you guys :)
Nice flowers.
Peace
"He asked me if it hurt Jesus and when I told him it did, he cried a little."
I cried when I watched a video of Christ's passion this morning. Here's hoping that we (young and old) will always be touched by this most awesome story.
You know, I think I'd rather have my wonderful boys crying over the thought of something like the hurt man in the Good Samaritan or Jesus' crucifiction than some obligatory death in a Disney movie.
I think you did the right thing. I taught the Good Samaritan to the infant class two weeks ago. They were all very concerned about his boo-boos. That was the focus. Of course R is really concerned for Jesus' wounds. He's a love. He's a great kid. Rather like his parents.
Our kids continually surprise me by the things they can handle.
You done good, kid!
Post a Comment