Life Lessons

A few months ago, Ava called me into my room where she was watching TV and asked me,

"Mom, did God die?"

I was actually on the phone and such a discussion was not one to be had while I only had half of my brain available. I knew she meant Heavenly Father, not Jesus, and her question made me think.

I explained that when I got off the phone we could talk about it. Then she said,

"How does God talk to us?"

I was sensing that it would just be best to get off the phone.


So I quickly asked my sister, Leah, to whom I was talking, if God died. She gave me an answer and we hung up. When I walked back into my room, ready for some discussing and explaining, she stopped me up short and simply said,

"I am trying to tell God that I love Him forever, but he's not talking back."


My toes tingled and a conversation ensued. Despite the times I think she is courting the devil, Ava knows Heavenly Father and Jesus.

She remains enthralled by the idea that Jesus loves everyone, even "the bad people". In her little mind everything is completely black and white. She says sometimes, "I just love Jesus so much."

I do too. And my Ava, my difficult Ava, has brought and taught me so many lessons about Him. It is the sweet part of the bittersweet experiences I have been having. I will take the bitter if it means I can keep the sweet; the knowledge, faith, and hope that are being cultivated.

Today she brought home a picture from preschool to color. As she got it out of her folder, she said, "And look at this one, Mom. You are just gonna lub it!" She turned it around so I could see Jesus with a child on his knee.

"Who is this, Mom?" she said in her best teacher voice, pointing to Jesus.

"That's Jesus."

"Yes! And He lubs lubs lubs little kids!"


She colored in every detail. Then asked me about "that man that died." I racked my brain and then remembered she must be referring to the Bug Man (the guy who sprays our house). A few weeks ago we got a letter in the mail informing us that he had passed away. When she heard me gasp as I read that letter, she inquired and I informed.

So today she called me over to see her finished picture and then flipped it over to show me where she had "written" a few things on the back.

"This says, 'I love you, Jesus' and this says 'I'll pray for the Bug Man'"

I have a lot to learn and Ava is turning out to be a pretty good teacher.