I had just finished bouncing Sarah’s bed to help her fall asleep last night when I caught up with Anne, on the way to collapsing in bed herself.

Choking back tears, I said, “You know what’s the hardest question? Sarah asking, ‘Is mommy going to die?’”  Which explained why she didn’t want to pray for mommy; it would have forced her little heart to confront that fear.

Of course, all three of our children have posed that question to us separately, but there was something about my five year-old little girl asking me before bedtime prayers that did me in.

As much as everything in me wanted to, I couldn’t answer “no.” We don’t know, even if we believe the chances are very good.

And I sure as heck wasn’t going to answer “yes,” even though that is ultimately the accurate, correct response.

I wanted to look into Sarah’s tearful, fearful eyes and offer words of hope and comfort that wouldn’t fail her. Sharing this with Anne, I was encouraged – and relieved – to hear that her approach with the kids largely mirrored mine. Our answer had to reframe their question, and thus worldview, with a sweet understanding of who God is and how He is providing for us.

1. God loves and cares for Mommy. And He loves and cares for you, Jack, Luke and Sarah.
2. He made Mommy and knows exactly what’s going on with her, including the cancer*.
3. God can do anything, and He uses doctors and medicine to help heal Mommy.

We sang a song in church today that hit the nail on the head. If you haven’t heard it or are unfamiliar with the melody, Google it and listen. It’s good stuff.(see below)

Now for a fun, quick story…

Our Jack is a learner. He’s been curious about how the doctors would get the Ninja medicine into Anne. Knowing her son wouldn’t be satisfied with a vague answer (she had already tried that), Anne explained to Jack that they put a “port” in her chest through which they delivered the medicine. As soon as he heard this, Jack’s eyes bugged out and he exclaimed, “Wow! You’re going to be just like Ironman!”

Anne’s so glad to know she’s been elevated to superhero status.

*I’ve found such comfort in rereading Psalm 139, in which the poet extols the Lord who knows our words before they are spoken, our days before they came into being, and who is WITH us through it all).