Elisabeth Hasselbeck's "Flashlight Night"

Helping Children Process Fear 

Living in a world of unknowns, the Coronavirus has brought a lot of fear and anxiety for children. New York Times bestselling author and mother of three Elisabeth Hasselbeck wants to help parents find a way to calm their children during uncertain times. 

In her first picture book, Flashlight Night, Elisabeth reminds us that little hearts can be anxious too--and that God is always listening to their prayers. He cares about both the big and the little things that burden them.    

“This past year, with school closures and most social gatherings canceled, we know anxiety and worry rates are on the rise in children,” says Elisabeth. “My prayer is that Flashlight Night is an encouragement for kids and parents to bravely share and find hope knowing that God hears them and loves them.” 

Her book is narrated by a boy whose parents have used chalkboard paint to create a wall where he and his siblings can write out all their fears, cares, and concerns: Will I learn to blow a bubble? Tie my shoes? Stay out of trouble? Be the friend they choose?

When the boy worries that God isn't responding to his prayers, he and his mom climb the stairs and visit the chalkboard wall at nighttime with a flashlight. She shines the light on some prayers and turns it off at other times, pointing out that the prayer (and his faith) is still there and in God's hands.

"Sometimes we see His yes," Mom says. 
"And sometimes we just don't. 
But just because it hasn't happened, 
doesn't mean it won't."

Even when it's dark and dim
and when I cannot see,
I choose to place my trust in Him
And I know God's close to me. 

Elisabeth’s three children helped write this story based on the chalkboard prayer wall they have in their home which helped their family deal with worry during the pandemic.