I had K & P home with me today due to tummy aches. Thankfully, by this afternoon it appeared that we had been spared a stomach bug and were able to enjoy a little fresh air.My children have 'rediscovered' their bikes and K is currently practicing her balance without training wheels or pedals. She has taken to riding up and down our driveway with her legs outstretched as she works on her balance, challenging herself to go farther and farther each time. Obviously, this lends itself to a few good spills here and there.
This afternoon after a particularly hard fall, I dashed over to check on her. I could tell she was swallowing back tears as she said, "I don't want to crwy, but my knee rweally hurts. I had on my helmet and long pants, why did I still crash?"
"Oh, Sweetie, the helmet is not to keep you from crashing. It is to protect you when you do."
I paused and couldn't help but be struck by the reminder. I spoke the warning to her and to myself at the same time.
"You are going to crash. Everybody does."
God's truth came flooding into my heart and mind. Not being pessimistic, just realistic. We crash. Sometimes it is not so bad and sometimes it is complete wipeout. It is a part of the human experience...much like riding a bike. The crashes happen, but you have to get back on your bike and keep riding.
Realizing it was probably more of a lesson than her little 5.5 year old brain could soak up I said it anyway. "K, do you know that Mommy has you wear a helmet and pads so that when the crashes happen you won't be hurt as badly? Well, Mommy & Daddy teach you about God for the same reason. Sometimes as you get bigger you will have other kinds of crashes. Knowing that God loves you always, that he keeps His promises and that He is good will help just like this helmet does."
I stopped short of going into the armor of God. She was staring at me with big, brown eyes. I really think she was listening.
Or maybe God just wanted to remind me of my role as a God fearing Mama. I will never look at a bicycle helmet the same way again.
6 comments:
You should put her in the grass instead of the driveway so that when she crashes (hopefully not many times) she will be on the soft grass. That is how we taught our girls. So much better! You have the best front yard for that too. We had to go to a nearby park to teach ours. Just a thought.
I love, love, love your stories! Thanks for sharing your life with us - your blog readers! I am encouraged and challenged by your faith on a daily basis. I am always impressed by your ability to learn a lesson about God from anything and everything that's happening in your life! I also appreciate the lessons that I'm learning from you about parenting as hopefully one day I will have children of my own. Thanks!
That's how my oldest son taught himself to ride a two wheeler. Totally makes sense. Then comes my youngest and I have no idea how to teach him. Then I had to run the neighborhood behind him.
I too love the way you relate daily things to a lesson from God. He has really gifted you that way. Speaking of helmets, I know two adults who were hurt riding a motorcycle..he had his helmet on, she did not...they both sustained head injuries, hers are far worse. I can apply that as you did and in further ways, but I won't write it out here, but I have an idea you know where I am going. These two people are far, far from God and I am praying that this accident will be used by Him to draw them closer to Him and everyone else that thier lives touch. Sometimes, even with God protecting us we still get hurt, but He is right there with us in the consequences. Blessings on your life and the life of your sweet family.
We had out preschool Trike a Thon last week and I had to buy a new helmet for a 3 year old head that didn't fit the helmet inherited from big sister. As walked out of the store she said pretty much the same thing to me - "now I won't crash Mama!". I gave her the same answer you gave K but your lovely insight never occurred to me! Thanks for the wisdom!
EXCELLENT post. Thanks for it!
-Shannon in Austin
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