Question at the door

Yesterday morning. We're inside, gathered near our front door, getting ready to meet the snow on our way to the van.

Boots? Check.
Coats? Check.
Mittens? Check.
Scarves? Check.
Diaper bag? Check.
Milk cups? Check.
Purse? Check.
Keys? Check.

I think we're ready. I open the door.

Ella asks, "Mommy, are there still people who want to kill people who have black skin?"

Oh.

It took me just a moment to determine where this was coming from. A hand-me-down book about the Underground Railroad in the 1800's. My daughter perused this, some months ago, and asked questions about the pictures. We talked briefly about slavery-- how there were people who did not know Jesus who did not love black people and hurt them because of the color of their skin.

I answered with a question, "Why are you asking, honey?" But I knew.

"Because Isaias (her little brother) has black skin."

Oh, my sweet girl.

There is so much I want to shield my children from. It would be so much easier just to say, "No, honey. There's no one like that." But sadly, there is. It is times like these that I think about this world we are raising our children in: the evil, darkness, hatred, false pictures of love and beauty, greed, love of self. It's enough to grip my heart with fear. I just want to protect her eyes and ears and heart from all of these things. But the fear that comes in then just as quickly goes away. Because I know this:

When I am afraid, I will trust in You.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
~Psalm 56:3-4

And this:

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song.
~Isaiah 12:2

And this:

God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
~Hebrews 13:5-6

So I said, "Yes, honey. There are still people like that. We don't know any of those people, but there are people like that. They don't know Jesus yet. But honey, you don't need to be afraid for Isaias because his skin is dark. God is always with us. And he is stronger and bigger and smarter than any man could ever hope to be. You don't need to worry."

And we don't. Need to worry. We do not need to fear evil, because he is with us. Oh, I am thankful. Thank you, God, for the truth of Your word. Thank you that You are light in this dark world. Thank you that we can rest under Your mighty hand.

Isn't it a good place to be?