This Is What It’s About. This Right Here.
It was bedtime, and together we were reading the story of Abraham and Isaac from The Jesus Storybook Bible. I was well into reading aloud before I realized that maybe this particular story is better processed during the day instead of bedtime — these images of a father climbing a hill with his young son, tying him down on an altar, and raising a knife to offer him as a sacrifice. My boys’ eyes grew wider as we got closer and closer to the end of the story, and they breathed an audible exhale when we heard God relent at the last minute and spare Isaac’s life.
This is at best one of the more troubling stories of the Old Testament.
Tucker said, “I am so confused right now. Why would God do that? Why would God ask Abraham to kill his son?”
“Well, buddy, I don’t understand this story completely, but I think it’s because God had a very, very important job for Abraham to do. And he needed to know that Abraham would trust God and obey him, no matter what, even if it didn’t make sense to him. And when he saw that Abraham would obey, then he didn’t make him actually kill his son.”
“So God rescued Isaac. And he didn’t make Abraham give him up.” I watched him trying to connect the dots.
“He did.”
“Mommy, do you think you are like Abraham?”
Tyler interrupted. “Tucker, she doesn’t want to kill us.”
“I know that. It’s not what I mean.” He glanced to the ceiling in exasperation over the people in his life whom he must deal with. “But, Mommy, do you think God has an important job for you to do? And that’s why he asked you to give up my dad?”
I had no words. Even now, as I remember him telling me his insight, I have no words.
In my silence, he continued. “Mommy, do you know God has picked you to write these books? He made you a writer to tell these stories. And so maybe God had to know you would trust him no matter what.”
Good grief. Who is this child teaching me theology in my bedroom?
“But here’s what I don’t understand, Mom. If God rescued Isaac once he saw that Abraham would obey, why didn’t he rescue my dad?”
Tucker was all questions, and Tyler was all ears right alongside his brother.
“I don’t know, honey. I’ve asked God that question almost every day. Sometimes I get pretty angry with God over the whole thing.”
He looked at me with pleading eyes, and his voice was gentle. “Mommy, no. Please don’t be mad at God. I don’t want you to go to hell.”
“Oh, Tuck! That’s not how it works, buddy. I won’t go to hell for asking questions.” I stroked his face that’s becoming less little boy and all young man.
“Honey, God lets us feel how we feel, and he lets us ask him questions. In fact, there’s a place in the Bible where David reminds us to tell God every one of our concerns. That means we can tell him anything we are feeling. And sometimes I miss your dad so much, and it makes me so sad that you don’t have him, and I wish God would have made a different decision on that day. So I tell him.”
It is impossibly heartbreaking to be so vulnerable in front of my children, to watch their faces reflect the conclusion that some of their greatest questions have no answers, to let them see that I just don’t know.
“Come here, guys. Let me tell you something.”
They climbed into bed with me. I wrapped my arms around them, and I told them what I think is true.
“You guys, your dad could have died twenty years ago. When he was in his sledding accident and his spleen ruptured, he could have died right then. But I think God thought to himself, ‘If Robb Williford comes to heaven on this day, then Tricia Lott won’t get to marry him. And if Robb and Tricia don’t get married, then Tucker and Tyler will never be born. I need those boys to be born because I need the world to have what they can bring.'”
My children were crying. I held them close, and I forged ahead.
“I think God wants to show other people your friendship with each other. And he needs your hearts, and your tenderness, and your compassion. He needs you to play sports and tell stories. He needs you to make friends and love people. He wanted you here, so he let Robb Williford live long enough to become your dad.”
“Really, Mommy?”
“Really. And I think he thought, I’ll have Robb stay for another twenty years. It won’t feel very long for Tricia, and it sure won’t be very long for Tucker and Tyler, but it will be long enough for what I want to do.”
“Are we here so Daddy could die?”
“No, baby. I think he lived so you could be born.”
“It makes me so sad, Mommy.”
“I know, sugar. Me too.”
I wrapped a blanket around the mound of us, and we cried. And I told God how we felt, right then and there so my boys could listen.
God, help me.
Darla says:
Just beautiful. Crying in Ohio too. Wonderful words of wisdom.
Rachael says:
Aaaaahhhh, this is wonderful! I love how God uses children to speak profound words into our lives and help us wrestle with and process those hard questions. I so appreciate your honest conversations with your kids and the way you share your heart with them.
Janet Lynne Billson says:
Beautiful words. Healing words for your sons. God makes no mistakes, and He planned Tucker and Tyler from the beginning.
Every single day is a gift.
I’m so glad you see that.
Rhonda says:
You have just given your Boys purpose, a reason to live and thrive. What a gift from God, Robb, and you!
Sue Muckley says:
Now THAT is sacred holy ground!!!!
Cristi says:
Well. So glad I didnt read that one while I was at work. God bless you and your little family.
Gae Reck says:
Tricia I hope you don’t mind if I share this with some of my friends walking in grief who need to hear this message today. I try each day to thank God for what I had rather than complain about what I’m missing. (The operative word there is try). Thank you for sharing your heart and your wisdom and your boys’ insights. I agree God has something he wants them to share with the world. And I am anticipating, and praying with you, that it is something unique and wonderful that will bring glory to God as only they can.
Tanina says:
Beautiful Tricia. Made me cry. But so well said. Both on your part, and from your boys. You are definitely doing something right.
Paulette says:
I have read your blog for a long time but have never commented till today. This was written so beautifully and your boys are so insightful. They get things that I as a 40 year old can’t even fathom. I cried reading this trying to figure out why children even have to try to wrap their little minds around something so horrific. You are a wonderful mother Tricia and are able to bring light to those dark places in their lives and you do it well. I felt like I was there in the room with you while you were having that conversation. Thank you for sharing this because it brought some clarification to some questions of my own.
Monica Roberts Snyder says:
No words. Just tears. Thank you for this window into your hearts and lives. LOVE.
Andrea says:
…crying in Alabama