Questions From A Four Year Old

So last night my daughter was getting out of the bath and asked out of no where, “Why did God make us?”.  I was a bit taken aback because I didn’t expect to hear such a large questions for such a little girl.  However I was overjoyed that she asked because one of my jobs as a daddy is to teach her about who God is and what He has done.

I explained that He made us, not because He was lonely or needed us (Acts 17:24-25), but because he wants us to be able to experience Him and glorify Him (Ephesians 2:10).  I then asked why she even asked this question.  I wanted to know what was going on in that little head of hers that would even bring the question to mind.  

After thinking about it for just a second she recounted a show that we had watched in which someone was being sold to someone else.  I don’t remember what show it was but it was about slavery.  What intrigued me even more is that she remembered that it was wrong and that we had talk about the reason someone did that is because the didn’t know Jesus.  She had somewhere between remembering that in the bath tub and stepping out connected the two ideas and wondered a question that has been asked by anyone that has really thought about God and sin.  I will word the question like she said it, “Why did God create us if He knew we where going to do bad things?”  At this point my jaw was about to the ground.  How is my daughter so smart!  We have talked a lot about Jesus, sin and what that all that looks like.  However she is just now connecting these dots and understanding that all of this has implications.

So as she sat there dripping all over the floor we talked about the garden, sin, the cross and what Jesus has done for us.  I even got to slip Martin Luthers “great exchange” in there.  I don’t know how much she will remember or know in a few days, but I know its in there somewhere.

Just a reminder to all you parents, grandparents, pastors, youth pastors and volunteers out there.  Never think that the words you speek go unheard.  Your children, grandchildren, congregation and students remember what you say.  They have questions about it and those questions need answers.  Be honored that you are able to even speak of Jesus, be humble when speaking and know that your words have an impact.