Thomas was unsure, and Jesus met him where he was. Martha asked questions, and Jesus welcomed them and told her truth. Jesus asked God a question when he cried out in prayer, and God met Him there.
Sometimes we think spiritually feeding our kids only means to give more and more information. But, sometimes, I think it means to simply give an open space for our kids to ask questions or to release doubt. It can be scary to hear our kids share doubts with us and to seem unsure about things, but if we don’t hear them they will either share with someone else or lock them up deep inside.
When Thomas doubted, Jesus listened, invited him to come and see, and told him truth. When Martha asked why Jesus let her brother, Lazarus, die, Jesus didn’t scold her, but instead shared truth with her. And, Jesus Himself, asked God, ‘Why have you forsaken me?” after he took the sin of the world upon Himself.
Questions are okay.
Sharing things we’re uncertain of is okay.
I would say it’s even a good thing. Because it’s being honest. And, God is truth and He loves truth. He knows our hearts and our thoughts, and He wants a true, honest relationship with us.
Jesus constantly asked reflective questions – He asked about 80 questions just in the book of Luke. I wonder why? Maybe because when we think through things ourselves, it helps our faith to be our own and to grow even deeper.
The next time your child asks you questions, don’t be afraid, but listen. Be there for them. Let them know it’s okay and that we all have questions sometimes, and then point them to truth…that Jesus loves them, and meets them right here in this and loves them more than they could ever imagine.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38
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Lord, be with us today. Fill us up today. Lead us today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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You might have heard this verse many times: “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) I understood it in a new way after reading “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom.
She was a Christian evangelist who hid Jews during the Holocaust and was imprisoned because of it. When Corrie and her sister, Betsie, entered one of the filthy prisons infested with fleas, both starving, they cried out to the Lord.
As they lay side-by-side on a bunk with several other women, 1 Thessalonians 5 came to Betsie and she shared them with her sister: “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
Corrie asked what on earth they could give thanks for. Betsie said that they were actually able to be together in prison and that their Bible miraculously had not been confiscated.
Then, Betsie prayed, “And thank you, Lord, for the fleas.” Corrie said she could never give thanks for fleas, but Betsie insisted that it is God’s will to give thanks in all circumstances.
So, while lying on their flea- and lice-infested straw beds, they gave thanks for the fleas.
After some time, they noticed that the soldiers rarely came into the barracks where they slept. Betsie and Corrie did not know why, but it allowed them to share the light of Jesus to other women for hours during such a dark time.
One day, Betsie asked a supervisor to come to the barracks. Betsie said to Corrie, “'[The supervisor] wouldn’t step through the door and neither would the guards. You know why?’
Betsie could not keep the triumph from her voice: ‘Because of the fleas!’ That’s what she said, ‘That place is crawling with fleas!’”
Corrie wrote, “My mind rushed back to our first hour in this place. I remembered her thanks to God for creatures I could see no use for.”
Hours of ministering, changing lives, and offering hope in a dark time, all came because of the presence of fleas.
What is the hard thing in your life that God can use for good? To help someone. To bring comfort to someone. To point someone to the light of the Lord, and to finding hope in Him.
This daily shift of giving thanks always, can be hard and it takes discipline. But when we change our outlook, it moves our eyes and hearts upon things eternal and puts God’s purposes over ours.
Corrie writes,
“Side by side, in the sanctuary of God’s fleas, Betsie and I ministered the Word of God to all in the room. We sat by death beds that became doorways of heaven. We watched women who had lost everything grow rich in hope.”
Whatever is happening in your life, be encouraged by these words that relate to us even now:
“In everything God works for the good of those who love him.” Romans 8:28
Whether this season is a seamless or difficult one, let us keep giving thanks, knowing that the Lord is right there with us, walking with us, loving us always.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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You can find my Mother-Daughter devotional for moms and their 6-10 year old daughters at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, Books-A-Million, Target, Mardel’s & Focus on the Family.
The devotional is a fun way to connect mothers & daughters with Jesus & one another! The 40 devotions include a prayer, story, Scripture, questions within the stories, action prompts, & creative fun activities!
Linsey Driskill 