Unexpected Questions from My Little

My 4.5 year old son has recently become very interested in reading his Bible and as a result has been asking very good questions.

We’ve talked about heaven… what it is, how God and Jesus live there, and how our loved ones that have passed away live there now. We’ve talked about how our bodies grow old and wear out and they quit working. We’ve talked about how Jesus died and went to Heaven.

Tonight’s questions came while he was in the bath tub. He began to realize that one day his body would wear out and go to Heaven. This realization made him very sad (me too) and he started crying. He said he didn’t want to leave us (me neither bud). He wanted to know how he would get to Heaven if his body stays on Earth. He wanted to know where (exactly) Heaven is located. These were all really good questions from anyone- especially a 4 year old.

I tried to answer them as best as I could. But it’s so hard… because I don’t have all the answers and don’t know anyone who does. I fumbled through us being reunited when he comes to Heaven but of course couldn’t tell him that my body would wear out well before his (probably). I named many people who he knew that will greet him in Heaven and that seemed to help. The main thing I tried to tell him was that he has a LONG time (hopefully) until he goes to Heaven. I pointed out that his great grandfather lived to be 91 years old… and that he is only 4. That seemed to be of greatest reassurance.

One of the hardest parts of parenting is handling situations you have no preparation for… like a soaking wet 4 year old crying in the bathtub because he is scared to go to Heaven. Sounds like another prayer request to add to my conversations with God… God, please be with me in the unexpected moments of parenting and give me the wisdom to handle the situation.

Amen.

love, brooke