Our toddler son and I were at a party with friends from our church. The kids were playing on various rented inflatable play structures, bouncing and sliding and giggling. Our little boy eagerly asked me to go with him through an obstacle course. We started out happily, but I followed too closely and crashed into him at the bottom of a slide.
It was quickly obvious that one of our son’s arms was causing him pain. He began to cry loudly and could not continue through the obstacle course. We got out to find a place where we could pray. I comforted him, carrying him away to get a moment alone with him and to turn my thoughts to God.
We immediately began to pray out loud together, discussing favorite ideas taught in Christian Science Sunday School. We also prayed with an idea we talk about at home, “God is everywhere. God is good. And, God is Love… like a hug!” It was a start, but I sensed we needed to go deeper.
