For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
As Selena memorized this Bible verse along she began make many discoveries.
- Jesus died for “MY” (her) sins.
- Jesus rose again on the 3rd day.
- Jesus went to heaven where he sits on the right side of God.
During a discussion the other day, Selena suddenly out of the clear blue asked, “Mama, when will I go to heaven?” Not really thinking about my answer I told her when she dies, she will go to heaven. Suddenly Selena said, “But I don’t want to die, I want everlasting life!” It hit me right then and there that Selena was not asking to go to heaven, but more of “Will I go to heaven?”
Quickly I back tracked to John 3:16, and asked her if she believed this verse? “Oh Yes, Grandma!” I then reminded her that Jesus had to die, and she quickly reminded me “Yes, He died for MY sins!” We then talked about how he rose again, and she reminded me “Yes, in 3 days!” I asked her what happened then and she told me, “He went to heaven!”
We then talked about our earthly bodies and our souls. She thought it was pretty cool that God actually gave her a soul, “This is the thing inside ME that makes ME who I am!”
I could now see the light bulb moment, as she realized, “My earthly body has to die, just like Jesus, then my soul will go to heaven! What happens then?” Once I explained that God will then give her soul a new body. She smiled, and said, “But I still do not want to die, not yet anyway, but I WILL go to heaven someday!”
Sometimes we forget that while our little ones can come to God’s Word easier then we do, they struggle with so many questions. You see Selena believed with all her heart that as it says in John 3:16, she would not perish (die) and have everlasting life (pass death and go to heaven).
I always love to discuss things like this with kiddos because the kids have so such a clear view of things and it gives me a new idea of how to look at it.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of discussions about this in the house, though not exactly in the same way. What happens after we die? Will I see you again when you die? I don't want you ever to die! Somehow Anna is a lot less concerned about her own death, but rather about her loved ones dying, because she understands (correctly, I hope!) that older people will die sooner than young people. I just try to reassure her that all this is purely academic and I and Lars are not going to die anytime soon.
ReplyDelete