Are You There God?

The few days that Olivia was super sad, I started praying with her, asking God to touch her heart and help her find peace.

She latched on to the idea of peace and God like a drowning girl hugging the neck of a life guard.

We found a book for her at Ollie’s about children’s prayers and bible verses that are child-friendly.

She had read it from cover to cover several times.

She asks if Nell is at peace since she’s in heaven. She wonders aloud if God is watching us and how he can keep track of every person on earth.

She asks questions and listens to the answers. She wants to know and she’s actively seeking peace.

I’m learning from my sad thirteen year-old and I’m so grateful for that.

In the past couple of days, she’s been markedly better.

She’s asked about depression and how it differs from mere sadness. I’m trying to answer her with age-appropriate information.

I don’t have all the answers and I admit that to her.

We hug a lot. We pray. We are trying to get outside more and eat better. We go to bed earlier and we’re washing our faces and feet before bed because it relaxes us.

We talk and we listen, with our ears and our hearts.

And we know that God is listening. Jesus is listening. The angels are listening. Our loved ones in heaven are listening. We are not alone and that right there gives us all a lot of comfort.