Weather Man

About a year ago we were in the car headed somewhere and Kevin says, "Mom, I would really like some snow." It sounded like an order at a fast food joint. He was very matter of fact and when I didn't say anything he said again, "Mom, I really want it to snow." I responded with the standard parent answer, "Well, when it's cold enough and the rain freezes then maybe we'll get some snow." This wasn't good enough for Kevin and so he says, "No, Mom, I really want some snow." I responded at this point with an equal level of attitude, "Kevin, I do not control the weather." ~ He had to think about that for a second and then said, "You don't?"



And so began our discussion (again) about how God is in control of all things... though I can see how this might be news to a little kid whose life is dictated to him by people twice his size. So we got that straightened out.



Then a couple of weeks ago as we were travelling through heavy rain for a family outing Kevin seemed quiet and sort of sad. Logan asked Kevin about what was bothering him and he told us that he needed some sunshine. We talked to him about praying to God and letting him know about his desire for some rays. We also talked about how God knows what the earth needs so if it keeps raininng it doesn't mean that God isn't there or isn't listening, its that God knows just how to take care of his world and so we should be patient. So he prayed. And as we got to our destination we were struck with sunlight. It stayed sunny until we were on our way home.



hm...



Last week as we were again in the car on the way to a play date I heard from the back seat, "God, could you please make it sunny? We need some sunshine." I didn't say anything, but I was proud of him. And as we played strong rays of sunshine shone through the windows. - He noticed.



And I'm not saying that God gives Kevin the weather he wants when he wants it. That would be silly, right? Well, now you can read an accurate account of the most recent weather event in our little family from my friend Kristi's blog. CLICK HERE

Snapshot Conversation III

On the way to Wal Mart tonight from the back seat came some questions. These are not abnormal questions... just a sampling of the ones we hear every day... Think if you can about how you would answer them. Sometimes, the simpler the better?

Kevin: Dad, how do people make dirt?

Dad: God makes dirt.

Kevin: Dad, how do people make wood?

Dad: God makes wood.

Kevin: Dad, how do people make houses?

Dad: Well, son, they take wood and they cut it ....

What about snow?

God makes snow.

Silence for a moment...

Kevin: It's kind of cloudy tonight.

Yep, it's cloudy.

Even though I can't see them I know the stars are there and even though I can't see it I know the moon is there. Just like God is always there.

And so began the explanation of faith... That's faith, buddy. Faith is knowing that something is there even though you can't see it. We know that God is there, even though we never see him...

What about snow?

What do you mean?

What is snow?

Snow is frozen water.

What about hell?

WHAT?

Hail, you know, hail.

Breathing a sigh of releif... Hail is water that is frozen harder than snow.

Does it hurt?

I don't know...

Really really big pieces hurt.

Then getting out of the car and going into the store...


Dad, did you know that God followed us all the way up here and he'll follow us all the way home?

With Halloween safely behind us it crossed my mind this morning that I had better figure out how to ration the candy. We didn't collect all that much, but Nolan was determined to open and sample every piece in his bag. So I began with the rule that there would be "no candy until 10am". Sounds reasonable right? Well, we were out of the house at 10 so enforcing the rule took minimal effort. The question then was when the candy consumption could begin. So I quickly thought of the hard and fast rule of "no candy until after (fill-in-the-blank)" which at the time was lunch. After lunch we proceeded to our house where the sight of the candy bags nearly insighted a riot. Kevin had been wanting to try the "gummy bones" he was interested in and Nolan was still interested in sampling everything. And then a feeling of generosity swept over my children.

"Mom, can I go down to the lobby and share my candy?" Kevin asked.

With a feeling of dread that nap time would be ruined I reasoned with myself that generosity and kindness far outweighed the need for naps. So down we went, to share the candy, a kind of reverse trick or treating. And as always Nolan was four steps behind us, bound to do whatever his brother was doing, blissfully naive to the fact that soon his stash would not be sample-able. We gave out three or four pieces of candy and Kevin asked who else he could share with and the field trip began. Student after student smiled and said thank you to a small piece of candy handed to them by sticky hands and a big grin. "Hala-allawee," Nolan would say occasionally. Kevin would just stand in front of them, say, "...stop!", hand them candy and then go about his business.

Then we got home. Whew!... no need for rationing or rules for the candy... and the best part is that it was their choice. They wanted to give it away... right? Yay for kindness! Yay for generosity! Yay for sharing! Yay for no more candy in the house! And then, the question...

"Mom, when can I get more candy?"

"Next year at Halloween."

"Next year?" And then I felt it... you know what I'm talking about... that calm before the storm... that realization that made the lump in the throat... and the tears...

All of a sudden the happiness of sharing and generosity was clouded by the sadness of the empty bags.

All in all it turned out okay. Kevin understands that what he did was a good thing though he is still not happy about his candy being all gone. Nolan doesn't really know what's going on yet, he was still working on a sucker when we got home that he nursed along while he was giving all of his candy away. And I'm writing this down now so that when they are older we can look back on this event and reinforce the goodness of sharing.

Scenes from the next episode: The effects of a sugar crash...