“Earrings and Questions”
I asked my daughters a question at dinner expecting them to offer shrugs with a lack of words, but to my surprise their answers were beautiful and simple and left me considering my own answer….
Recently, my oldest daughter began making clay bead earrings. This new hobby landed her 60 orders at $5 a set! When I was a kid, my idea of making extra cash looked like washing mom’s suburban or making a few friendship bracelets out of yarn for 25 cents, my how times have changed. My daughter created a spreadsheet alongside her daddy and learned a new word…profit margin, in which I also asked, “what’s that?”
As a fun addition we added stickers to the earring bags that spoke of Jesus. Different ones said, “WWJD,” “Jesus loves you,” “Read your Bible,” and “Ask me about Jesus.” As she spent time choosing a sticker for each bag, I asked she and her sister, “What would you say to the ‘Ask me about Jesus’ sticker?” Here were their responses….
“He’s loving, kind, He forgives you when you do something wrong, and He answers your prayers”- the youngest.
“He’s the wonderful counselor, He helps you through life, He is God’s Son”-the oldest.
Their responses left me in awe; so simple, yet so profound. So often, we as adults forget the simplicity and beauty of Jesus’ love and complicate the relationship. Notice how they mentioned what He does for us, forgiving us and helping us. I wondered how they laced those words together so quickly, but I was reminded of all the Bible stories they’ve been told and the attributes they been taught. When we are referencing what God did in the Bible, noting His faithfulness and bringing Jesus into the equation, a natural foundation is being formed in their heart and mind.
We, as adults, should consider what we would say to “Ask me about Jesus.” Would we stumble for words, shrug our shoulders, or speak of His wonderful ways and Father’s attributes; taking time to reflect on how He has worked in your life is the beginning.
The world is filled with individuals that see Christianity as daunting, legalistic, and hypocritical. Understanding the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s mercy, and their never-ending love produces a joy that requires little thought to an answer for that question; it just flows from within us.
If you find yourself stumbling for a response, spend some time getting to know Jesus. Read the stories throughout the Bible and take note of His characteristics that never change.
