A Find

This morning I was on the hunt for something and came across something else. Has that ever happened to you? My intent was to uncover a book I needed for a class I am teaching. On my hunt I came across an adorable little book published for the first time in 1991. The title is CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO GOD. It is a sweet little book that measures as a 5 x 5 inch square and has childhood writing per page highlighting questions that kids might have for God. It was compiled by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall with illustrations by Tom Bloom. Perhaps you have a memory of this book from your reading list back in the day. Here are some of the questions from the book that caught my eye this morning:

“In Sunday School they told us what you do. Who does it when you are on vacation?”

“Dear God, Did you mean for giraffes to look like that or was it an accident?”

“Dear God, In Bible times did they really talk that fancy?”

“Dear God, How come you didn’t invent any new animals lately? We still have just all the old ones.”

I find this child-like thinking to be precious. What do children know that we don’t realize as we become *older and wiser*? Are their spontaneous inquiries a reminder that we need not always be so serious and somber in our relationship with God? Do our children’s voices tell us that we can be ourselves with God? Amazing! We can be transparent, frank and honest knowing his love will be ever present despite our disposition.

The book of Matthew invites us to learn from little kids:

2 Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. 3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.…

God does not wish for us to be childish, but rather like a child, transparent and forthcoming in our prayers opening up our lines of communication with our good God. In prayer, perhaps honesty is a good policy.

What a find it was for me to come across this little book today! Oh, in case you were wondering, I also located the other book-a public speaking textbook which, for you, may not be as interesting as the earlier find I discovered today. Thank you, God, for this little diversion today. Helping us find treasures in unexpected places would certainly be your way, Lord! I am grateful. Amen.