Deputie Tribe: How Do I Teach About Suffering to A 3-year Old?!

We had another several doctors appointments this week as well as another ER visit (see here and here if you don't know what I'm talking about). Ahavah woke up and said her legs and knees hurt. She was acting very sick, sleepy, and was walking like she was dizzy or losing her balance. She threw up in the car on the way to our morning appointment. I was making phone calls all morning to all the specialists we are working with to get opinions on what I should do. Finally, I took her into the E.R. We found her lead levels are rising still. 31.1 as of Monday. We got another x-ray of her belly and found it to be nice and clear! PTL! But now we face more decisions, more heartaches, and more uncertainties ahead.

I guess the only certainty is that Ahavah will be having more blood drawn and more doctors poking and prodding at her. She tends to get really violent and angry and disrespectful toward the doctors when they come at her. And for right reasons right?!? I mean who would willing let a doctor stick them with needles all the time and not get upset?

However, in my prayer time, the Lord was showing me that I need to instill in her that we need to endure suffering with the right attitude. We are guaranteed to face suffering in this life. We live in a fallen, sinful world. We are Jesus' children. The world hated Him. They killed Him! Why wouldn't we face a life the same as our Lord? (2 Tim 3:12)

So I read the book, What the Bible Says About Suffering By Richard Fugate so I could get a better understanding of what ... well... what the Bible says about suffering! I got packed full of comfort, strength, and scriptures! Then I sat all my little one's down before an appointment and we discussed suffering.

What is suffering?

What should our attitude be through it?

Why do we want to glorify God in it?

How we can comfort those who are suffering?

Is what we are facing really that bad compared to most???

All in all, this may look cruel to tell my child, "You're going to suffer. Now be happy about it!", but I think it's the most loving thing I can do as her parent. It's the truth. Death is real and we've had a study about that when we almost lost Ahavah back in May. Suffering is what this life is packed full of! What kind of mom would I be if I didn't let her grow in strength at this little age to be able to endure it without a "Woe is me! Pitty me! I am sick and missing out on going to the Zoo, and jumping around with my friends!".

No, no the Bible says:

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall unto various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

"Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James 5:10-11

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worth patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5

So here are the main things I have ben teaching my children, but especially working into Ahavah:

1) God is Good: He loves us. He died for our sins so we can have fellowship with God!

2) Be Thankful instead of Sorrowful: Man God has blessed us! We have a big, beautiful home. We have food on the table. We have family that loves us. We are able to get medical attention. We have people praying for us and visiting us in the hospital. We have friends. We have the Holy Spirit living in us speaking to us and giving us strength! God's using us to share His love to all these doctors and nurses!

3) Endure with a Good Attitude: Let's bring Glory to our God who is so good! Let's remember the suffering He went through for us. Let's read and learn about the suffering the patriarchs went through, the apostles, the founders of our great Christian nation America. Let's remember all the heroes through all of time who had great courage and strength when facing hardship, all for the Glory of our Great God!

And that is how I teach a 3-year old about suffering...

And now some random pictures from a while ago: