Through the Mouths of Babes
My sweet Anna-girl got hit with an awful stomach virus. This afternoon she was laying on the couch, bucket in hand, misery abounding... and this happened:
Anna: *Big Sigh* Well... I guess Satan isn't dead yet.
Me: Huh?
Anna: Satan. He's not dead yet. Because I'm sick. If he was dead, I wouldn't be sick anymore. You know... that whole fire thing...?
Me: Lake of fire?
Anna: Yeah, that. I guess we'll know he is there when we aren't sick any more.
Me: Um. Yes. Something like that. Jesus is with us right now, though, and that's what matters.
Anna: Yeah. I know. Mom? I am glad that Jesus is in my heart. But I wish Satan would get out of my feet. Where is he anyway? Like in a bone or something?
Me: Uh... no. Not exactly (take a moment to explain the concept of metaphors, victory, and how there isn't actually a miniature Jesus in her blood-pumping heart, etc, etc)
Anna: Oooooh. I always wondered how there were so many Jesus' in all of our hearts but really only one. Jesus is pretty cool.
And Mom? I am thankful. I am glad that Jesus died on the cross. And I know he is here with me. And I know someday I won't be sick ever again. That makes it all better.
Oh my goodness. How on earth to respond to all of these thoughts in my 5 year olds' brain?!
I love this girl.
I love that she accepts without abandon - not without question - but with true child-like faith.
I love that she has grasped what so many adults struggle to understand - the simple truth that "in this world we may have trouble, but take heart! He has overcome the world."
I love this girl. And her theology - it may not be spot on, but the heart and faith are there. And I'm sure God likes to laugh now and then, anyway.
Anna: *Big Sigh* Well... I guess Satan isn't dead yet.
Me: Huh?
Anna: Satan. He's not dead yet. Because I'm sick. If he was dead, I wouldn't be sick anymore. You know... that whole fire thing...?
Me: Lake of fire?
Anna: Yeah, that. I guess we'll know he is there when we aren't sick any more.
Me: Um. Yes. Something like that. Jesus is with us right now, though, and that's what matters.
Anna: Yeah. I know. Mom? I am glad that Jesus is in my heart. But I wish Satan would get out of my feet. Where is he anyway? Like in a bone or something?
Me: Uh... no. Not exactly (take a moment to explain the concept of metaphors, victory, and how there isn't actually a miniature Jesus in her blood-pumping heart, etc, etc)
Anna: Oooooh. I always wondered how there were so many Jesus' in all of our hearts but really only one. Jesus is pretty cool.
And Mom? I am thankful. I am glad that Jesus died on the cross. And I know he is here with me. And I know someday I won't be sick ever again. That makes it all better.
Oh my goodness. How on earth to respond to all of these thoughts in my 5 year olds' brain?!
I love this girl.
I love that she accepts without abandon - not without question - but with true child-like faith.
I love that she has grasped what so many adults struggle to understand - the simple truth that "in this world we may have trouble, but take heart! He has overcome the world."
I love this girl. And her theology - it may not be spot on, but the heart and faith are there. And I'm sure God likes to laugh now and then, anyway.
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