Thursday night, on his way to bed, Joe came back out to tell me that the boys are being affected by me. I said "What does that mean and is that good or bad?"
He said, "They're debating God."
"Oh, really? Then that's GOOD!"
Apparently, the boys had spent the 45-minutes since we'd put them to bed discussing four points:
- Is God a boy or a girl?
- Was Jesus a boy or a girl? (yes, they did ask these two in different tenses!)
- Is God really bigger than everything?
- If God's in charge, why does He have so many rules?
Impressed as I was by these questions, it was harder to come up with clear answers on a very abstract subject, especially at 9:30 at night with very sleepy kids. They wanted to sleep, but couldn't until they solved these riddles. So, here's what we decided:
- For Tom, God is. Just "Is". He seemed to like that idea. That he could say God is pretty much anything and it would be right. He's definitely likes the "abstract" and really accepted the word "entity" - even if he doesn't entirely understand what that means and pronounces it "Anti D". This is proof he is MY child.
For Travis, God had to be a boy or a girl. God "is" wasn't complete for him. So - God is a "big big big boy" for Travis. He's a big boy, daddy is a big big boy so God is a big big big boy. He needed something fully concrete - like his Gram and his daddy. - Jesus was a boy. That one was easy. He lived, therefore we KNOW he was a boy. End of story - happy kids.
- Again, there was a split here. For Travis, it was a simple - YES. For Thomas, it was again more abstract. Since God "is" and therefore can be everything, He is both smaller and bigger than everything. But, since He can be everything and not anything at the same time, He was definitely "in charge" of everything. Travis agreed that since he was bigger than everything, he was "in charge". That led to question number 4.
- I wasn't really sure about this one. I personally don't feel like God has that many rules. Society has many, churches have many, even my husband has a bunch (and these all overlap of course). But God? Well, as the girl-child pointed out to me today when I told her this story, God has 10 rules. Also known as commandments. Smart-Alec Catholic girl that she is. =)
On Thursday night, however, I was hesitant to tell the BOYS that God only has 10 rules, as Mommy has a LOT more than that. So, we decided that God has lots of rules to keep us safe and happy. And one of those rules is that they have to go to sleep when mommy says. I can't believe it, but I actually said "God's telling me right now that it's time to go to sleep." - seriously - like I was having a conversation with the Almighty right then and there with them! Lord forgive me! But, they both said "OK mommy!" rolled over and went to sleep!
All in all, it was eye-opening and let me know NOW is the best time to be taking them to church regularly with me. Church to this point has been my "escape" from family insanity, whiny boys and a non-participating spouse. (Not that he doesn't believe, he just doesn't go to church with me). Emily goes with me when she's here more often than not, especially on days we both sing. But it was just too much "trouble" for me to take the boys. A headache, a fight, and less relaxing then when I go alone.
I think now God is telling me they need to come. "It's time!" is resounding in my head. Yes, it might be taxing on Sunday mornings and Yes I might not get my personal recharge from it but NO it's not about me. It's about introducing my kids to God and returning them from whence they came. God only gives us HIS children to watch and raise but in the end they belong to Him - and I better remember that!
Sorry God - we'll be there Sunday!
