God is never, never here...

Precious.
Explaining a complicated holiday to a preschooler.

Because what in the world is the link between eggs, death, bunnies, chocolate, life and grandma's dog?

Grandma came to visit last week. She let Maizie know (in the middle of Target, of course) that her dog died.
Kind of a big deal.
Later, Maizie cries to me about it.
"Maybe Skyla can come back and be a new dog."
"No, babes. She's with God and eating birthday cake." I have no idea why this is what I always think dogs get to do in Heaven, but I do and so that's what I told Maiz.
"I'll never, never, never see Skyla ever again?"

Flash forward.

Decorations for easter: eggs, more eggs, bunnies, baskets, chicks, more bunnies. Lots of pink and purple and baby animals, every princesses special holiday! How fun and cute!

Flash forward.
Driving to Target at 8pm. Just me and Maizie. Because everything meaningful happens at Target or on the way to Target or can be bought at Target.

"Maiz, I want to tell you a story."
And on to tell about Jesus dying (like Skyla) and being buried in a tomb and a huge rock as big as daddy being pushed in front of it.
"And when the ladies went back in 3 days, Jesus's body wasn't there anymore.
He was gone."

Silence.
Then a sob.
And another sob.

"He wasn't there anymore?"

"Yeah, Maiz, he was dead and then missing."

Sob.
"God is never, never going to come back. He is gone and dead. And never, never have Jesus."

Wait, Katie, wait...

"Always gone, never, never..."

Wait, Katie, wait...

"Oh momma!"

And, now.

"But Maizie. Guess what had happened? Jesus rose from the dead! He wasn't in the tomb because God made him alive again. He was walking around and talked to the ladies. Isn't that exciting, Maizie!"

Laughter. Joy. Bliss!!!
"Oh MOMMA! That's so great! He's just back! And he can help us and be friends with us and help us set up our dishes!"

To think that I've "always" known the end of the story. And that Jesus has always been risen in my mind. To never feel that sorrow that Jesus was dead and missing forever and ever. And the joy that he's come back!

Thanks for that Maizie...

I'm still waiting to be asked if Skyla can come back too. And I still don't know how to even begin to link to the bunny.