Of Prayers and Spiderman: And Why We Need Heroes
July 28, 2012
It takes a midnight nightmare to let you know what verses
you have on active file.
you have on active file.
Trying to comfort a frightened four year old, yet still
maintain that last vestige of sleep cover, I started reciting the songs and
verses that came without thought. “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,
there’s nothing my God cannot do. The mountains are his, the rivers are his; the
stars are his handiwork too. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s
nothing my God cannot do.”
maintain that last vestige of sleep cover, I started reciting the songs and
verses that came without thought. “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,
there’s nothing my God cannot do. The mountains are his, the rivers are his; the
stars are his handiwork too. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s
nothing my God cannot do.”
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, Oh Lord, for you alone
will keep me perfectly safe.” Psalm 4:8 passed my lips multiple times – a
standard at our house when rocking children during midnight terrors. Apparently
I need to learn more verses against fear.
will keep me perfectly safe.” Psalm 4:8 passed my lips multiple times – a
standard at our house when rocking children during midnight terrors. Apparently
I need to learn more verses against fear.
He grabbed tight, pressing tear-stained cheeks close to
mine, when I suggested going back to bed. “No!” So we snuggled closer and I
whispered the songs that come without thinking, that spring forth. “God is so
good, God is so good, God is so good, he’s so good to us. He gives good things,
he gives good things, he gives good things, he’s so good to us.”
mine, when I suggested going back to bed. “No!” So we snuggled closer and I
whispered the songs that come without thinking, that spring forth. “God is so
good, God is so good, God is so good, he’s so good to us. He gives good things,
he gives good things, he gives good things, he’s so good to us.”
Eyes closed, half asleep, I kissed his cheek, crooning “Jesus
Loves me” against sweaty hair that was already starting to cool, and lifted him
to his bed. Pulling the blankets up to his chin, I whispered, “Jesus is so big
and strong, Daniel. He loves you and takes care of you. Who told the wind and
storm to stop that day in the boat? Whose friends said, ‘Wow, even the wind and
waves obey him!’? You can talk to Jesus anytime, Daniel.”
Loves me” against sweaty hair that was already starting to cool, and lifted him
to his bed. Pulling the blankets up to his chin, I whispered, “Jesus is so big
and strong, Daniel. He loves you and takes care of you. Who told the wind and
storm to stop that day in the boat? Whose friends said, ‘Wow, even the wind and
waves obey him!’? You can talk to Jesus anytime, Daniel.”
My son grabbed his blanket and new red Spiderman figurine close
and started whispering. Tiptoeing out of the room, I was suddenly not certain
who Daniel was praying to at that moment.
and started whispering. Tiptoeing out of the room, I was suddenly not certain
who Daniel was praying to at that moment.
It went from learning about spiders to a Spiderman craze. One minute the little girl from nursery with chunky
Spiderman rain boots was an anomaly to him, and the next minute he knew Spiderman’s
name, asked for him at Target and hugged him fiercely throughout the day.
Spiderman rain boots was an anomaly to him, and the next minute he knew Spiderman’s
name, asked for him at Target and hugged him fiercely throughout the day.
But at mealtimes, at wounds or sad moments and in joy, my
little boy knows who to talk to. He begs to pray at each meal, and complains
when it’s someone else’s turn. “Jesus, thank you that…” and his list goes long.
At those times, Spiderman lays dormant in corners across the house. I don’t
mind when later, he and Daniel run through the house, chasing imaginary bad
guys, and escaping down the slide.
little boy knows who to talk to. He begs to pray at each meal, and complains
when it’s someone else’s turn. “Jesus, thank you that…” and his list goes long.
At those times, Spiderman lays dormant in corners across the house. I don’t
mind when later, he and Daniel run through the house, chasing imaginary bad
guys, and escaping down the slide.
There is something in us that cries out for heroes, champions,
warriors. In our world of human trafficking, poverty, injustice, hurt and
dysfunction, we want to know that the bad guys will be caught, that justice
will prevail, and little ones protected. And I love that our Judge, Warrior, and
Hero wrangles compassion and second-, third-, fourth-chances, in a
mind-boggling dance with justice. All are called to account, all are loved, all
stand before their Judge.
warriors. In our world of human trafficking, poverty, injustice, hurt and
dysfunction, we want to know that the bad guys will be caught, that justice
will prevail, and little ones protected. And I love that our Judge, Warrior, and
Hero wrangles compassion and second-, third-, fourth-chances, in a
mind-boggling dance with justice. All are called to account, all are loved, all
stand before their Judge.
I’m pondering Spiderman, superheroes, and champions tonight.
My dad hooked me on on a new tv series about police forces who
negotiate and talk down armed intruders. Throwing themselves into danger, they
sacrifice their lives and safety nightly.
negotiate and talk down armed intruders. Throwing themselves into danger, they
sacrifice their lives and safety nightly.
I watch my preschooler race around the yard, fighting bad
guys and speaking in warrior language, yet he cuddles close and tenderly kisses
my face. “I save you, Mom. I save you,” he reassures me. “Me and Jesus fight
bad guys.”
guys and speaking in warrior language, yet he cuddles close and tenderly kisses
my face. “I save you, Mom. I save you,” he reassures me. “Me and Jesus fight
bad guys.”
And Spiderman now too.
Because we all need reminders, I think, of the battles going
on, and of our roles to stand tall, to come alongside, to offer radical love,
to defend the cause of the fatherless and the widows, to point to our Creator’s
lavished love and plan, and to his Son.
on, and of our roles to stand tall, to come alongside, to offer radical love,
to defend the cause of the fatherless and the widows, to point to our Creator’s
lavished love and plan, and to his Son.
Who were some of your favorite heroes as a kid? What are ways that your children have spoken up about roles they see themselves playing in today’s world?
We just took Alex to see Spiderman today, my boys love the superhero stuff. They see themselves as superheros sometimes and I know they have looked out for the less fortunate at school through befriending a handicapped kid in a wheelchair, to sticking up for a kid who was being beat up in the locker room. I love their tender spirit and I always pray they are doing with the love of Christ!!
Hi Denise,
I love the times we hear of our kids standing up for those who are being picked on and bullied. That takes courage. Tell Alex good job for me 🙂 We had great times walking with him at Family Camp.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Oh, what a beautiful truth-filled post, Jennifer. I love the picture of you whispering those words into your son's ears and heart. Jesus, our greatest warrior hero. Beautifully written.
Me too, I echo Pam's words. I can see the beautiful picture you make, you and Daniel. You singing into his ears, truth about how big our Lord is. Then Daniel slowly going back to sleep into the arms of the One who will keep him perfectly safe.
So beautiful.
As for Spidey, they will outgrow them in time… but for Jesus, never.
Hugs.
I don't have children, but what a great truth lesson for us all young and old!! Thanks Jennifer!
This was beautiful, Jennifer. Thanks for sending it to me!
Pam, thank you. Yes, "Jesus, our greatest warrior hero" — what a wonderful term for him.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Lolita,
I'm grinning with you too today. Thanks.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Angelonwheels,
Thanks you. What a nice treat to hear from you! How have your last few weeks gone? How are you feeling? Did you get to She Speaks?
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Thanks, Kimberly.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com