Tough Questions

We've had some hard stuff going on and a lot to pray about lately. Still the Busscher family is heavy on our hearts, who tragically lost their 18-month-old daughter 2 months ago. Sheri Buursma, a sweet teacher who goes to our church, is battling a recurrence of cancer. Our neighbor's mother just found out she has cancer as well, in her liver. And last week, Rylee's classmate, Chase Holwerda, fell on the playground and severely broke his femur and will be in the hospital for a month, followed by a body cast for 6-8 weeks, followed by physical therapy to re-learn how to walk. As a family, we have been praying for these hurting families often, and in light of all these things that have been going on, Rylee has been asking some very tough questions.

"Mom, why did God make mosquitoes and bumble bees?"
"Why did God make mean people?"
"Why did God make scary movies?"
"Why did God make the Sluiter scowl?" (if you know Brent or any of the Sluiter guys, you know what that is!) :)

And today:

"Mom, why does God make nice people get sick?"

We've been having some good discussions about how God created the world perfect, but then sin came into the world and everything got messed up and broken. But God loves His world too much to leave it that way, that's why He sent Jesus, to make everything all better again. I explained that Jesus will be coming again to make all things new and then everything will be perfect again.

"Even dead people?" asked Rylee

"YES! Even dead people will be alive in Jesus!" I am happy to tell her.

But boy, is she a thinker. It's precious to see her little faith developing. Sometimes her questions are just too hard, though, and I have to simply say, "I don't know. But God knows... He is in control of all things and He loves you very much."

I guess that's all we need to know.