I have been asking Nick to write a post for me since I started this blog 6 weeks ago!!  He finally agreed to do so after having this conversation with Maddie last night:

We have been letting Maddie and Ada Grace listen to Christmas music on the radio in their room as they go to sleep each night.  A seemingly innocent activity that they have enjoyed for the last few weeks… until tonight.  Apparantly an advertisement came on for a child safety website  that contained a line that said something to the effect of- what if your child fell into the hands of a fierce predator.  Moments later Maddie was downstairs scared sleepless.  (luckily Ada was asleep and unaffected by the situation)

So now the idea of being lulled to sleep by the sounds of the season turned into one of those questions no parenting book can teach you how to handle.  I wish I could have just redirected, or quickly explained it away as something adults had to worry about, but she is just too old for that to suffice any longer.  So, I started with the truth.  There are bad people out there who take children away from their parents.  This statement she just accepted without question.  I decided to focus on the plan God has for us and how we have the ability to make decisions that can help keep us safe, ie.  not talking to strangers, not running off from Mom and Dad when we are out in public, if you are lost find a policeman or an employee to help you.  these too she was ok with.  Now I wanted to reinforce our discussion with scripture so I quoted Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you….”   and Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear for I am withyou…”

So now comes the question…

Daddy, how come God can’t stop the bad guys?

I reiterated what we had already talked about and told her that we have to make the best decisions we can to stay safe, but ultimately we just have to trust God.   I wish I had a more comforting answer, but truthfully I still find myself asking the same question at times.

Nick