One day, when my sons were little, we had a conversation that went something like this:
“You know how the men built our house? The concrete first to set the house on and keep the snakes out, the outside walls to keep us safe inside, the inside walls to make the rooms where we’d live, and then how they put the roof on to keep the weather out?”
“Yes, mom.” Up and down went their heads.
“That’s how God is, figuring stuff out for us. He made our planet with everything people would need to live, and our minds so we could learn how to use what He gave us. He made us alive, and gave us days to live and nights to sleep to be ready for the next day. He gave us families to grow up in, and helped people to make schools so we could learn. He gave us our hearts and love so we wouldn’t have to be alone. He asks us to respect Grandma and Grandpa Tony, because they have lived a long time and can tell us things to help us have good lives.”
“Okay, mom. Can we go outside now?”
“In a minute, okay?”
“Okay.” More fidgeting on the couch.
“I’m telling you this so you know how much God loves you. When you picked your dad and me to be your parents, He said yes. He knows everything that’s important to you. He even knows you have good thoughts and bad thoughts.”
“We know, mom,” they said, squirming.
“It’s okay because He’s known this since He made us. We all have good thoughts and bad thoughts–”
“Mommmm—“
“All right,” I said. “Just one more minute. What I’m trying to tell you is that God knew you before you were born, and knows who you are now, and has a pretty good idea of who you’ll become when you’re a man. You know how your dad died? Everybody has good things happen and bad things like that, too. But, God never dies. He’s always with us, no matter what, and He wants you to know you’re never alone and that He loves you with all of His heart. All you have to do is talk to Him.”
“We know, mom. You already told us this a hundred times. Can we go now?”
“Go. I just want you guys to know how much you are loved, okay?”
“We know, Mom,” my eldest said as they sprang up from the couch. “Love you.”
“Love you, too,” I called after them.
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