Off and on this week, Amara has just randomly broken out sobbing, "But I don't WANT Him to die on the cross...."

While part of my heart shouts a HUGE Halleluia that my baby girl is learning about Jesus (and trust me, I can't write the word HUGE large enough, because truly, that's my most fervent prayer for both kids -- that they learn to love the Lord and give their lives completely to Him), the other part of my heart cries out to that same Lord saying, "Please give me the words to make it real for her."

How do you explain to a 4-year-old that Jesus HAD to die?

How do you explain to a 4-year-old that it's because of OUR sins -- hers, mine, Daddy's, all of us -- that Jesus went to the cross to sacrifice His life for ours?

How do you explain to a 4-year-old that it's God's plan?

How do you explain to a 4-year-old that hundreds of years ago, we followed the Old Testament Law, and animals were given as sacrifices...but now, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ paid it all, so that we no longer are under the law, but are under His grace?

How do you explain to a 4-year-old that the gift of Jesus Christ is a free gift for us all to reach out our hands and accept?

How do you explain to a 4-year-old that Jesus's death on the cross is the single most important and significant event in history. Check that -- that his RESURRECTION is the single most important and significant event and MIRACLE in history!

How do you explain to a 4-year-old something that I, as an adult and life-long believer, can't even put into words, because it's just that amazing and humbling and awesome and powerful and emotional?

My feeble attempt went something like this:
"I know you don't want Jesus to die, baby, but it already happened. Many years ago. But you know what the cool thing is? (They love the words "cool" and "not cool" right now.) The cool thing is: He didn't stay dead! And He's the ONLY one who can say that, because He's Jesus, and that's what makes Him so special. He had to die so that we could all live. He died for us, because He loves us that much, and He wants to be with us forever."

Oh that God would give me all the right words to make His life and His presence so real and so important for the kids. Truly, that responsibility brings tears to my eyes (yes, I'm at work misty right now). There is absolutely nothing more important that making sure they get that message. Nothing.

How do you explain to a 4-year-old why Easter is so important? I've not yet figured it all out. But I trust that God will lead me. And my first attempt at it has resulted in no more sobs. So next year I'll have to ask how to explain it to a 5-year-old. And through it all, I'll be SO VERY GRATEFUL that she wants to know!