My children play war. A day doesn’t seem to pass without swords and guns, knight costumes and military hats. The sound of explosives exploding booms in some pretend space in our house. Legos line up for battle in forts defended by miniature men with blaster rays and lightsabers. “No, you’re Hitler,” my ten-year-old instructs theContinue reading “The Terrible Justice of Children”
Category Archives: children
When God Made Everything, Even Poison Ivy
I have a poison ivy rash right now, possibly worse than I’ve ever had before. It’s waking me up from sleep several times a night. I’m using cold compresses and alternating lotions to treat it but may end up asking for a steroid to put me out of my misery. As I was applying aContinue reading “When God Made Everything, Even Poison Ivy”
Advent Day 14: Fishes Kiss
At the end of the day, after my boys don’t listen when it’s time to get out of the tub and they don’t listen when I tell them to put their pajamas on and they don’t listen when I tell them to brush their teeth and they don’t listen when I tell them toContinue reading “Advent Day 14: Fishes Kiss”
Held
We spent the evening with friends of ours discussing the aches and opportunities of the church we’re attending, and while our kids ran around their living room and up the stairs, and I scratched the ears of one of their pups, I said the thing I keep saying about this church community: I laugh everyContinue reading “Held”
Basement After-Dinner Theater
Our kids have taken to putting on shows for us in our basement. They take turns choosing the plot, often involving a pirate queen, the Incredible Hulk, and either a cowboy or sheriff or good pirate or Star Wars character (take your pick). There is always some battle involved and there is always some mid-sceneContinue reading “Basement After-Dinner Theater”
Reading the Bible with My Kids
We started reading the first book of the Bible, Genesis, with our kids this month. Up until now, besides praying with them and the occasional aside about God’s love and being kind and other such directives throughout the day, we’ve left the Bible up to their Sunday school classes. Illustrated pictures and crafts are easierContinue reading “Reading the Bible with My Kids”
What are we going to do today?
We are going to do nothing. Nothing at all, nothing planned, nothing scheduled, no agenda, no calendar items, no outings, no play dates, not even laundry. We are doing nothing. I am out of the office (again) after the two-week summer residency. Because I worked so much during the last two weeks, I’ve been itchingContinue reading “What are we going to do today?”
Just One More
I am confident that everything I have to give to my kids is never enough. All night long, they ask for things, all the things, every single thing. Just one more kiss. Just one more hug. Just one more song. Just one more book. Just one more game of tag. Just one more slow gatheringContinue reading “Just One More”
Advent Day Five: But They Were Childless
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because ElizabethContinue reading “Advent Day Five: But They Were Childless”
Bad People Go to Hell and Other Parental Panic Moments
My lovely blue-eyed seven-year-old daughter giggled. “Bad people go to the devil when they die,” and my charming bow-tie and button-down-shirt wearing son giggled, too, “Yeah, but we’re going to heaven because of JESUS.” I stuttered and stammered, “Well, it’s true that Jesus saves us,” I said, “but I’m not sure about the devil. It’dContinue reading “Bad People Go to Hell and Other Parental Panic Moments”
Sarah Marie Wells 