A Spring of Joy

This morning at breakfast, Asher asked me to read the prayer of the day. I have a little calendar that I flip every morning. Today it was Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
And through the rivers,
They shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
You shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

I read that out loud and Asher sat quietly for a moment. Then he said,

So if I step in fire it won’t burn me?

I attempted to expound on the meaning of this verse in children’s language. Finally, I sighed, feeling like I was making no sense. Then Micah piped up.

Mom, I will just stay away from the fire, then I won’t be burned. That’s how God can take care of me.

Try explaining literal and figurative to a six-year-old and four-year-old. I decided to use the expression “I’m so frustrated I could tear out my hair.” Okay, not wise on two counts. First, my children reminded me, yet again, that I do not have any hair, so why would I say that? Once we worked through that little detail, Asher connected the dots and figured it out. I was impressed with his ability. Second reason? Well, keep reading…

Micah, on the other hand, only wanted to focus on the feelings. Darn middle child! He made a face at me and said,

Mom, this is frustrated.

Sometimes you look like that. And sometimes you cry.

Sigh. Yep. Sometimes I do look like that, and sometimes, no really, a lot of times I cry. But I’m so thankful I have my family to make me laugh. And laugh we did while we sat around the table making frustrated faces for a while.

Here is Asher’s frustrated face (complete with grape all-fruit jelly).

And here is Audrey’s. I hope this is always her frustrated face!

Have I ever mentioned how my children warm my heart?