Inquiring Little Minds want to Know

Photo credit: Gavin's mama, Evie Johnson

Why is it that the littlest minds amongst us can think the biggest thoughts? Ask the hardest questions?

A few years ago my 4 year old grandson’s ever-flowing stream of consciousness was flooding our cramped Jeep as we headed to the park. We managed to fit the five of us in a vehicle meant for four and my grandson, Gavin, was squeezed into the back seat between me and his mom, Evie. He chattered on about random things, mostly about Minecraft, when he asked his mother a random question.

“Mom, why did God create cancer? I hate cancer.”

Evie blinked in surprise as she comprehended Gavin's desire for truth. She lovingly gazed at him and offered this reply, “Maybe Grandma can answer this one. I get to do it all the time.” I caught the slightest wink and hint of a smile as I scrambled my brain to come up with a suitable reply for a 4 year old. Yeah, good question, Gavin, I thought.

I breathed a quick prayer, God, please help me as I answer him.

I began at the beginning. God created a perfect world. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin corrupted that perfect world and with it came cancer and a myriad of dreaded diseases. God didn’t create cancer, but He does help us to deal with it when we trust in Him.

Gavin thoughtfully nodded, silent. Sunday School had taught him about Creation and the Fall of Man, but he needed something right now to hold on to. He needed to hear the hope that resides within me.

Hebrews 6:19 says, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a {hope} both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.” When I blurt out my inquiries to God, just as Gavin did to his mom, He reminds me of the sure and steadfast hope I have in Him and His Word, and there I am held steady.

4 things to remember when conversing with a child:

1. Don’t ignore the question and pretend it didn’t happen. Consider a child’s question as a vote of trust in who you are and your response to them. Each question offered up is a like a field of thought waiting to be sown with truth and love.
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2. Don’t say their inquiry was silly or stupid. A response like this will shut and lock the heart’s door quicker than anything. Once shut, it may take years of committed prayer and shows of love and interest before that child is willing to listen to anything you have to say.

3. Don’t say that they are too young to understand the answer. Just like we wouldn’t hand an Encyclopedia Britannica to a 4 year old and expect him to comprehend, it the same holds true for a response to a difficult question. Replies should be age appropriate (don’t use big words) with enough basic information to satisfy curiosity.

4. Don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know the answer. Invite them to join you as you search out the Scriptures and learn something new, yourself. Children learn by observation and imitation. They love being included in grown-up stuff. And who knows, they may teach you something you would never have considered before.

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