Never Grow Up

I just listened to Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up" about 10 times in my car on our way home from Sea World tonight. I pictured my friend Misty twirling and dancing as a little girl and then I pictured her now as an adult enduring all the painful, HARD things that have been thrown at her in such a short life.

At Sea World today, Sarah got scared because it was dark in the Sesame Street show. She held on to my arm for dear life and buried her sweet head in my chest. I thought about how clinging onto mommy for dear life is enough to heal her little heart from feeling afraid. I envy the simplicity. I don't want her to grow up. I don't want her heart to be broken and scarred. I don't like it that bad things happen every day. At the same time Drew was laughing a hard belly laugh because the show was so hilarious to him. He was captivated by it. I hate it that we all too often lose that.

I heard on the radio today of a ministry that fosters women who have been sold for their bodies. I found out today that my dad's mom has lung cancer. I saw people at Sea World with all kinds of physical handicaps, people of all ages. It's everywhere. Pain and suffering is unavoidable in this world. I see it in my boys already. Other children have said mean things to them and they guard their little hearts just a little bit from it. It's as though every time we get hit by an arrow, we guard ourselves just a little more, we get a little more afraid, and we lose a little bit more of that precious innocence.

Scripture says that there is a time for mourning and a time for laughter. I say if we are in that time of mourning, let the tears flow and the walls come down. Let the false walls of security come down and let others carry us as we endure. Let's cry at the feet of Jesus and be ok with having nothing to say except groans of agony. He hears us friends, He hears us.

And when we dance and have times of great joy and laughter, let's dance and laugh as hard as we possibly can. Let us have joy and be thankful for the gift of new seasons. Let us not miss one second or opportunity to live life to the fullest. We never know when our season of mourning is coming.  And let us not forget to carry our friends.

I speak for so many when I say, we love you so much Justin and Misty and we are so sad that you guys are enduring this trial. We are praying ferociously for your family. You guys are so loved.