Forgiveness

Jack and I have been discussing God a lot lately. He has been asking alot of questions so I figured it was a good time to break out the children's bible. We finished the entire thing in 4 days. ALL he wants to do is read the bible. And when he asks questions and I know the answer....I tell him. If I do not know the answer.....I tell him I do not know. And as our conversation got really deep the other night, I had the opportunity to explain to Jack that every person has a different journey with God. I told him that God calls everyone on earth to know Him, but because God loves us and gave us free will, some people choose not to answer His call. Everything I was saying was way over his head, but I tend to go off when I talk about God sometimes. He listened.....and listened. He was quiet for a while......but I knew he was pondering. And this was his response. (Gotta love the way a child thinks)

Jack: Mommy, does God know everything?

me:Yes, I believe He does.

Jack: Does he HEAR everything we say?

me: Yes, I believe He does. I believe He lives in our hearts and is always with us.

Jack: So he even hears us when we whisper?

me: Yes Jack....even our whispers are heard. I always whisper my prayers, and He always hears me.

Jack: UH OH. This is NOT good.

me: (smiling, but concerned) Why? What did you say that you don't want him to hear?

Jack: I am NOT going to tell you. Is He going to be mad at me?

me: No Jack. You just have to tell Him what you did wrong, even though He already knows, and tell Him you are sorry. God expects you to make mistakes and just wants you to learn from them and ask for forgiveness because it sets you free. That is what life is all about. Learning from your mistakes and not feeling bad because you make them.

Jack: Can you please tell God I am sorry?

me:Sure Jack. But what did you say?

Jack: I am not going to tell you. Just tell Him I am sorry!

And it was then that I got to witness my son ask for forgiveness from God for the very first time. And even more awesome, was to see the relief he felt after being forgiven. I have felt that same relief....the quiet peace and utter relief of knowing that you are loved from the inside out despite how terrible you can behave sometimes. Man I love God. And watching Him work is never anything less than amazing....especially watching what He is doing in my children. Keep it up Papa!

P.S. Jack finally confessed what He said.......He "accidentally called God and old grandpa."