Theology of a three-year-old

This morning at the breakfast table, Luke decides to tell me: "Mommy, when I get to heaven, I'm going to eat lots and lots of muffins." Now, we were not sitting there pondering theological issues, and I hadn't even told him he couldn't have another muffin. To tell you the truth we were all just simply and quietly...eating. And I, with my hands wrapped snuggly around my beloved coffee cup, was completely surprised by this comment, said with a huge grin on his little face. "Well, Luke," I replied, "I think we probably will get to do a lot of things we really like to do in heaven. It's a wonderful place."

The conversation then spiraled on to a couple more comments about heaven and Jesus, and then his brother Jack chimed in and said, "Well, we're not going to heaven for a very long time." And then they all got down and went on their way to running and jumping and chasing and building...all those little boy things they like to do.

Why share this? I guess I have been suprised by the theology of our 3 year-old lately. He has been coming up with the most interesting questions, and totally out of the blue. He is such a fun-loving little guy. He loves a thrill. Most days when it's warm enough, you'll find him riding his bike full speed down the hill of our driveway and running smack into our metal fence at the end...on purpose! And then getting back up to do it again. One day when he was doing what I just described he asked me if I thought God was as mighty as his "super-fast" bike. I felt pretty sure (no, very sure) I could say "yes" to that one!

This morning's "discussion" spurred me to think of heaven, and the many other mysteries of God. It seems that a 3 year-old may understand them and accept them easier than a 30 year-old. Some days I just long for heaven or for Jesus to come back...for all to be made right, for no sickness or disease, no divorce or hurting relationships...to walk by sight, to see His face, to feel his arms. That longing, though, is too easily walled off and put on the back burner as I have to come back to earth, and a basket full of laundry, and move on. I guess part of me might find it hard to believe sometimes. In this world of so much hurting, what must heaven truly be like? It's so hard to imagine. Or if I try to compare it to the most amazing thing I can think of on this earth...can it really be better than that?

The mysteries of God. The faith of a child. I want to believe like that. Accept the mysteries. Walk without doubts. Some days I think I do. But then I'm reminded of something that's really hard. Someone walking through a situation that doesn't seem to be covered with grace, to my human eyes. And yet, His promises remain. That longing deep inside all of us remains. That God-shaped hole. That can only be filled by the One...always faithful...always raining down grace..always drawing us to Himself. May we have eyes to see, and accept, and be thankful for...the mystery.

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#258-290

258. God knows me
259. raw emotion
260. God isn't suprised by anything
261. our days are numbered
262. his care for me in the night
263. stepping out
264. trusting God with what He lays on my heart
265. His mighty hand of protection
266. a day of rest (and a husband who happened to be home that day)
267. that most days my body feels good
268. healing
269. a glorious morning
270. an amazing group of women
271. praises
272. encouragement for our family
273. solid teachers for our son
274. being a nurse has prepared me to not be too surprised by really gross stuff I encounter as a mom
275. he could laugh while getting an unexpected 2pm bath
276. these little ones who keep me grounded
277. freshly baked muffins
278. eggs for dinner
279. hands around a warm coffee mug
280. a playdate
281. his personality
282. yogurt & probiotics (can you tell we were dealing with some GI stuff?!)
283. a date with my little boy :)
284. the Sound of Music
285. a cast of students who truly give glory to God for their amazing gifts and talents
286. that he didn't throw up in the school bathroom
287. a little girl who let us thru
288. an attitude changed
289. small victories that make a huge difference
290. an afternoon of sweet fellowship
291. a quick trip to Target by myself (a rarity!)
292. his little toothy one-year-old smile