Dear Children

Dear Archer and Shelly and Elijah. Dear beloved children of mine.

I know sometimes other people read here, but this one's just for you, someday, when you're old enough and browsing around and you find this. Its just for you.

This week in our country we've seen tragedy. On Monday there were bombs at the Boston Marathon. I told you about this after school, because I wanted you to hear it from me first, and not hear offhand remarks from strangers and wonder what it meant. On Monday one of our great cities in this amazing country called home, one of those cities was attacked, People were hurt, killed, hearts were broken. And so many amazing heros stepped forward to help. The tragedy, caused by a couple of lost men, brought together a city and a country in love, prayers, support for the city that was attacked. On that day, people's hearts were broken. People stepped forward to help strangers, when people ran in fear, others ran into the smoke and gathered up those that were hurt and helped.

Today an entire city is shut down, people stayed home from work and school, trains and busses stopped running, the city stopped. I have great respect for those people in Boston who are probably fearful, there are dangerous people there, but who are also brave enough to stand their ground and work with the police to keep their city safe.

On Wednesday there was a fire in a small town called West. The fire ignited some dangerous chemicals and then there was an explosion, an explosion that rocked the earth, that sent shock waves for miles and destroyed buildings, apatments, homes. Children yonger than you helped each other escape falling buildings. Strangers stepped in and risked their lives fighting fires and rescuing those trapped in collapsed houses. Firefighters died in their attempts to stop the fire and stop any more people from being hurt. Today there are rescue workers who are still searching for those who are missing, perhaps trapped in houses that have fallen. Yesterday there were hundreds of people who gathered together in prayer for their family, friends, and neighbors, pleading with God for the safe return of those they love.

On top of those tragedies, you know we've been having crazy terrible weather. Storm after storm, in late April it doesn't seem like it should be this cold but today there was a blizzard. All week its been raining. Some places are under water, it feels as though our entire country is under seige, the weather, the attack in Boston, the accident in Texas.

Dear Archer and Shelly and Elijah, this week tragic things have happened in our country. This is a bad week in our country's history. But in this great place that we call home, in America, we help one another. There are people that hurt other people. But there are so many more people that love and give and sacrifice to help.

I read a quote from Mr. Rogers, I know you don't know him well but he was wise and so respected. He loved children and his mission in life was to help children feel safe.

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.

Shelly, I shared this with you the other night. When something bad happens, or if you're ever afraid, look for the helpers. There are always people who are helping. I could see in your eyes that you were afraid, just me mentioning that something scary could happen and I wouldn't be there, I know it was hard for you to imagine it.

My dear beautiful children. We live in such a broken world, it can be a scary, heart breaking place, this broken world we're in. But there are always helpers, always kind and good people who will help you. And I know you have it in your hearts, I've seen it already, the way you help each other, the way you care and check on each other. You are growing into the helpers that our country, our world, needs. You are already beocming those people, those heros that step forward to help each other. I am so proud of you for that.

Its not just our country, these terrible things happen all around the world, and sometimes they're closer to home and sometimes far away in a place we can't imagine. Please know that no matter how out of control these things seem, God is always in control. He hears each and every one of us, at the very moment that our hearts cry out. When you hear of something scary and you feel that fear in your heart, know that God hears you. When you turn your thoughts to Him and wonder what to say, He hears you. When you want to ask Him for healing but don't know how to ask, He hears you. He knows.

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

   ~Psalm 34:18

I love you so much, and when you want to talk about things that are scary, you can talk to me about it. I won't laugh at you or tell you there's nothing to worry about. I know its scary. You don't have to keep that inside, you can share it with me, or with Dad. And above all, seek to take refuge in the Lord, He goes with you where we cannot.

 

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

   ~Psalm 34:4

I am so proud of you, each of you three bring such joy and unique blessings to my life. Times like this, crazy, scary, how could this happen times, they remind me to be so thankful for each moment I have with you.

Love,
Mom