Samantha processes every piece of information given to her literally. I have come to understand this. It is just the way she is...I have learned how to deal with it, and with patience, make her understand what I am trying to say to her. Still, at times, I find myself caught totally off-fuard.

Some time ago, while surfing the internet, I stumbled upon a beautiful picture of Jesus. It was a picture of Him sitting on a hillside. Knowing how crazy Samantha is about Jesus, I decidced to call her into t ehroom and let her see what I had found.

When Samantha saw the picture of Jesus, she squealed with glee. She immediately wanted to know where Jesus was, and what He was doing. Without really thinking, I answered, "He is just sitting outside."

It didn't really register that she had left the room until she returned, a few moments later and hollered, "Go outside Daddy!" When I turned to answer Samantha, I was greeted by a sight that took my breath away. Samantha had run into her bedroom, grabbed a blanket, ran to the bathroom, grabbed a towel, and had used them to make an outfit that, in her mind, was more than suitable for meeting Jesus. As she stood there, I could not help but think about how excited she was to think Jesus was sitting outside our house. In her outfit, she looked exactly like one imagine a little girl would have looked in the day that Jesus walked the earth. To make matters worse, she had grabbed a hand full of candy to take to Jesus...I guess she thought He might be hungry.

I have faced difficult situations with Samantha, but I honestly cannot remember a more trying moment as a parent. In her..."child of faith" mind, Jesus was just outside our house...sitting...waiting for her to come out and sit with Him. I must admit, there was a part of me that wanted to explain the whole idea of it just being a picture...and yet, there was a part of me that wondered if maybe, somehow, Samantha's faith might be rewarded...He might just be sitting outside, waiting for her.

It was as if I were suddenly afraid of what she would do if I took her outside and He was not there. And, even more disconcerting, was the wondering about what I would do if I took her outside and found Him sitting there.

In the end, I took the cowards way out. I slowly explained to Sam that it was just a picture. Of course, I still find myself wishing I had gone outside with her...just to see!