Questions from Children; Answers from Father

There is a current TV commercial that fills me with mixed emotions.  Dad is on his cell phone. Daughter is busy, but suddenly has a question that won’t wait.  “Dad,” she interrupts, “How big is the ocean?”  Dad pauses momentarily and then says into the phone, “Can I call you back?’  Next scene is Dad and daughter riding in the car toward the ocean.  “Are you ready?” Dad asks.  Then they are standing on the shore gazing at the vastness of the ocean. Every time I see this commercial, I reflect on the joy of a father (or grandfather) showing his child (or grandchild) something for the first time.  But then, as soon as I remember the joy of newness, I remember the times I was too busy, times I stayed on the phone and ignored the question, or stayed at the office, or stayed on the road.  Moments of joy lost, never to be re-lived.  Finally, I am reminded of God’s promise, first stated in Isaiah 64:4 then quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” Someday, all of our questions will be answered by a loving Father, who, although quite busy, makes time for us.