It’s a very tough time to be a parent.

The world is a scary place right now.

Parents are struggling to make the best decisions for their kids in a world where it sometimes feels like there is no good decision.

Parents are trying to balance risks versus not isolating their kids totally while we deal with a pandemic that feels like it won’t end.

Parents are being criticized if they are what some consider to be “too careful.”

Parents are being criticized for not being careful enough.

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Parents are heartbroken over things their kids are not getting to experience that they would in normal times.

Parents wonder when we will escape this “new normal” and get back to the way things were.

People are angry at others who don’t share their viewpoints.

I’m someone who falls on the side of what some people would consider “too careful.” We limit who we visit with, avoid large gatherings, and have missed out on a lot the past year and a half.

I had a conversation with a priest at our church about how lonely this time feels. I’m mad about the world my child is growing up in. My son (and all kids) deserve so much better than this. I started to cry when I told him I was angry at God for not fixing things.

The priest let me cry a little bit and then said, “It’s OK to be angry at God, but you should tell him.”

He went on to ask me that if I was upsetting someone important in my life, wouldn’t I want them to feel comfortable telling me so?

The answer is yes. I would want my son, or my husband, or a family member or friend to feel comfortable telling me if they were upset with me. If someone felt they had to walk around on eggshells and could not talk to me about their feelings if I hurt them, that wouldn’t be a healthy relationship. And the reverse is also true—I want to be able to tell my family and friends if they are upsetting me in some way. If I can’t tell someone that they are upsetting me, the anger is just going to build and get worse as more things pile up.

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He explained that God wants an intimate relationship with us. That includes hearing how we are feeling, even when we are upset with him. He doesn’t want a relationship where we are only comfortable telling Him certain things.

If you are upset and wondering why God doesn’t fix the state of the world, or something going on in your own life, it’s OK to tell Him so. He already knows what we are thinking.

If you are exhausted by the state of the world, tell God.

If you are lonely because you’re still taking precautions and feel like you’re missing out on a lot, tell God.

If you find yourself scared about the future, tell God.

If you are tired of feeling judged by others who don’t feel the same way as you while you try to make the best decisions for your family, tell God.

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If you wonder why God doesn’t fix things and lets people suffer, tell him.

I can’t promise He will make it better.

I can promise He will listen, though, and wants you to tell Him what is hurting you right now.