The most popular word in a young child's vocabulary is "why?" This can be frustrating to adults who suffer through trying to answer one question after another, realizing that no answer is sufficient to the mind of the child. In adolescence, the question often changes to "why not?" For example, the parent says, "No, you can't stay out until 3 A.M." And the teenager responds with, "Why not? Sara's parents said she could." Both "why" and "why not" are good questions at any age. As adults, we often stop asking either of these questions. This is sad because we were created to be inquisitive and creative throughout our lives. Children are eager to know why and to use their vast imaginations, which is why they learn so much so fast.
There are 2 very important Bible passages that demonstrate how important it is for parents and grandparents to take childhood seriously and formulate the best answers possible to the questions, "why?" and "why not?" Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a perfect passage. "Listen! Obey, O Israel! The LORD is our God! The LORD is One! And you will love the LORD your God with all your heart, with your very being and with all your might. And these words which I am commanding you this day, will be in your heart and you will teach them diligently to your children, and you will talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they will be as frontlets between your eyes. And you will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." ()One New Man Bible 2011
This reminds me of the number one priority in my life - God. Everything I think, say, and do must reflect my love for God. Wow! That is humbling and demanding. My second priority is my family. Every word and action witnessed by my grandchildren is more important than I ever realized. For my words to be truthful and effective, His Word must first be in my heart because there lies the wellspring of thoughts, words and deeds. I must teach these WORDS DILIGENTLY to my children and grandchildren - no haphazardness here. All day, everyday, during every activity from rising to going to bed. On my hand, they remind me of everything I do. Between my eyes, they remind me of my thoughts. And on the doorposts of my house and on my gate, they govern my coming in, my going out, and they surround all that is within my sphere of influence. A shorter, but also great, passage is Proverbs 22:6. "Train up a child in the Way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This verse reinforces the Deuteronomy passage.
I pray the we are ever mindful of our responsibility as parents and grandparents. It is a powerful assignment. For us to know the way a child should go, we must know the way we should go. This comes from constantly asking, seeking, and knocking. "Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 Complete Jewish Bible When children of any age ask me "why" or "why not," I pray that I think carefully before giving a flippant answer. Words are extremely powerful. The universe was created with a spoken Word. Words have the power to build up or to tear down. They have the power to encourage creative thought or to hinder ideas and questions. I pray that my grandchildren will always feel safe asking me questions, knowing that I seek my answers from the One who truly has all of the answers.
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