Want to Hear Something Sad but Funny?

So, with my family’s background of living in war-torn West Africa, and then later my kids seeing their grandparents in that same situation and occasionally fleeing violent political situations, my kids and I have often talked about the fact that anyone could die at any moment. We recognize that there are “bad guys” here too where we live, and that anything could happen. I have always assured my kids, though, of three things:
1.) That God loves us and that is heart can be trusted, no matter what things may happen in life.
2.) That God will never give us anything more than we can handle with his help (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”). And he will give us the strength to go through anything we need to. (“My grace is sufficient for you.”)
3.) That God promises that he will never leave us or forsake us. Ever.

Tonight, though, as my husband is sick, and feeling miserable, hunched over, walking feebly, racked with chills, and other yuckyness, my kids and I are praying for him and hoping he feels better soon. As I was praying with my daughter M for her to go to bed, she asked “Has anyone ever died from the flu?”

“Well, they have,” I answered honestly, “but I don’t think Daddy will,” hoping to make her feel better.

“Well, it could just be Daddy’s time to die,” she declared matter of factly, and biblically. “True,” I laughed, slightly horrified, “but I don’t think he probably will.”

Later, out of hearing shot, I ran to my husband and told him the story. He grinned feebly. “She learned that from you, huh?!” he laughed.

Don’t worry. We hug a lot and are all very close, my family of four. We’re just very realistoc when it comes to death. Strange, huh? Meanwhile (back at the hall of justice), my man is not on death’s door that we know of. 🙂