Kids say the darndest things.” That is a line from the old “Art Linkletter Show.” In one of the TV series’ best known segments, the host interviewed children and got them to say all kinds of hilarious and outrageous things. That tradition is carried on today by comedian Bill Cosby on his TV show called “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” Often what the children say produces laughter, but their words also contain kernels of truth that adults are too polite to voice.
It is for that reason the book “Children’s Letters to God” is so delightful. The letters ask straightforward questions to God. The questions are simple and direct. And they are humorous. The humor is not mean or vindictive. It is not laughter for some at the expense of others. It is humor in the healthiest sense.
One can almost see Darla as she writes, “Did you really mean ‘Do unto others as they do unto you,’ because if you did then I’m going to fix my brother.” To me, she is a feisty little red-haired girl with pigtails and freckles. She is full of life and inquisitive. Darla is the kind of child who takes nothing from anyone.
The letter from Johny asks, “How come you didn’t invent any new animals lately? We still have just all the old ones.” One can almost see the faces of Johny’s parents turn red. Johny, to me, is the smart little guy who is as cute as a button but his questions often bring the bright red glow of embarrassment to his mother and father. One can only wonder about the circumstances that caused Johny to want to know about “inventing” new animals in the first place.
Sometimes the concerns of children are also the concerns of adults. The difference is that the years have taught us to be more careful about what we say or what we show others about ourselves.
Adults may not be as honest with themselves as children are with themselves. We may not be as honest with others or with God either.
Sometimes the words of children reveal traits found in adults. Marnie writes, “Dear God, on Halloween I am going to wear a devil’s costume. Is that all right with you?” Evidently Marnie has already made up her mind about her costume. She just wants God to bless her decision. How common a trait of every age. We decide what we are going to do and then tell God about it and ask Him to bless it.
That is not exactly consistent with biblical instruction. The Bible teaches us to seek God’s will first and then do what God tells us. Not the other way around. Lucy wanted to know “Are you invisible or is that just a trick?” Behind the words is the age-old question about whether God is honest and trustworthy. Many people have asked Lucy’s basic question, Can I really believe in God? The question grows from fear. We cannot see God. We cannot prove Him. We are unsure. God might let us down. It might be a trick.
How great the distance between fear and the first commandment to love God with heart, soul, mind and strength.
“Dear God,” wrote Lois. “I like the Lord’s prayer best of all. Did you have to write it a lot or did you get it right the first time? I have to write everything I ever write over again.” What a hard worker Lois must be. She is going to get everything just right. One does not know if it is something inside Lois that makes her strive toward perfection or if she lives in a home where only the best will do. Either way, the little girl wants God to tell her it is OK to “write everything over again.”
Many of us spend our lives seeking perfection. We seek it in ourselves, in others, in our church. And we end up frustrated because no matter how many times we “write things over again,” it never seems to be just right. In those moments when we are honest with ourselves we long to hear Jesus say, “Come unto me all ye who are weak.” We do not have to be perfect to be loved by God.
One child was afraid to sign his letter to God. The letter said, “It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about you that people are not supposed to say but I hope you will not hurt him anyway.” It was signed “Your friend, but I am not going to tell you who I am.”
Afraid of God. Many people are. They view God as one who waits to zap anyone who steps out of line like the father who said bad things. One cannot love such a God. One cannot be His friend, cannot trust one’s self to Him.
The God made known in Jesus Christ acted because He “so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
This is a God who loves us, who is not looking for a reason to punish us. This God sent His Son to die for us even though we did not get it right the first time. This God is for real. He proved it through Jesus Christ. Now we do not have to live by our own whims but by His timeless teachings.
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