Emma: Do we live on a planet?
me: Yep, we live on the planet earth.
Emma: And it’s in space?
me: Yes, our planet is in space.
Emma: Why is our planet in space?
me: (thinking) well, that’s just where God put it!
Emma: Who is God?
me: Um, well, He’s, um, He’s. . .well He made everything, and he’s kind of in charge of everything.
Emma: What is His name?
Me: He has names, but you can just call him God.
Emma: Oh,Ok.
Me: Yeah, you know Jesus?
Emma: The BABY??
Me: Yeah, the baby at Christmas. Well he is God’s son.
Emma: But why is he a baby?
Me: That’s just how people start out.
Emma: Oh, ok.
Author’s note: I found it horrifying to be asked the question "Who is God," by a sweet and impressionable 4-year-old child who has no concept of the idea. What on earth do you say? How do you answer in a way that makes sense to her? Hopefully, it is a conversation that we will continue someday. There is much, much more to that story, Emma!
There is much, much more and you are there for just such a time and child as this,Allyson. Thank you so much for sharing this conversation, it is a call to prayer for this family and for you. But , really , a baby is a good introduction into a four year olds heart. God, as as entity- creator,ruler,Judge might be a bit hard to conceive. But Jesus,the baby,God’s son is a perfect place to start. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.