An overly tired child is a dangerous thing. Today was like most summer days for my 9 year old son. After being drenched in an unforgiving sun, his body working in or around water all day, we carried that exhausted sack of potatoes to bed. But a quirky thing happens when his head falls to the pillow. His mind awakens to huge philosophical questions, mature theological wonderings! (Is this normal?)

Tonight as my wife and I desperately waited for his eyes to close and his muscles to rest, his quivering lips stated, “I’m not so sure heaven is going to be such a great place.” Let me remind you, there is never a more fragile being than a child beyond exhaustion. And the boy continued on, “how will heaven be great if I’m there but some of my friends and classmates are not?” My wife looked at me with a cringe; I returned to her a shrug. Though we’ve faced this situation numerous times, we’ve yet to agree on a gameplan. 

I do find us asking him the same thing everytime. “Can we look into this and talk about it tomorrow?” Because what he’s asking for is not a trustworthy answer from his parents. He’s not asking for a quick reassurance. My son is asking for permission and direction in seeking out answers for himself. 

Isn’t this what we wish for our children and students. That they may discover truth and wisdom alongside us.

 

Seek and Find

Good news parents and teachers! There is no need to be an all-knowing fountain of knowledge. There is a need to do two things:

1. Place before this learner trusted resources. Resources that reveal truths relevant to the student’s curiosities.
2. Ask the child discerning questions. What does this text tell us about your question? How does this resource relate to your ideas? What new wonders has this new information sprung about?

 

Learning together is the powerful way we’re intended to do life. A student’s wonders should never run dry. If they do, we’ve failed them. 

Teach them to seek and trust they’ll find truth.

 

May you find peace in your process of seeking.