Why Lord, Why?

"Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."--Matt. 18:3

Lately, this particular piece of Scripture has been working its way through my consciousness.

Of course, it may have something to do with having just returned from an impromptu visit with my daughter and “almost three year old” grandson…a nine hour car journey on Interstate 90, from Massachusetts to Ohio.  For some reason, after spending 6 days with Alex, on the drive home this quote seemed to pop into my head and I began wondering.

Does God admonish us to be childlike in our love for Him?  Children love unconditionally and totally.  They laugh with abandon, and find joy in the simplest things.  Reaching out their arms, they beg to be lifted high, swung around until they are dizzy, and when placed on the ground shout for more.  More Grandma, higher Grandma, do it again Grandma.  They are always ready for “one more” of everything.

Exhausting?  Well, let me just say I slept like a child every night I was there.

Another charming characteristic of an “almost three year old” is their propensity to ask questions…especially the question of why.  Why do mommies work?  Why do birds fly?  Why do I have to sleep?”  We all have, at one time or another, been on the receiving end of this type of interrogation, answering with the most direct answers.  Mommies work to earn money.  Birds fly because it is faster than walking.  You have to go to sleep because WE are tired.

Following this chain of thought on my drive home I thought about all my own “why” queries for God, and wondered about the answers.  For example:

Why, if You gifted me with the ability, and love, for playing the piano, you didn’t throw in long fingers, a musical ear, and a photographic memory?

Why did I have to have a milk allergy…especially one that kicks in when I eat ice cream? (I think I know that answer to this one, but I’ll wait to hear it from Him)

Why was I born the middle child instead of the first born, or better yet, the youngest?

Why were the obstacles I have had to overcome placed so high, in my humble estimations mind    you?

Why did You see fit to give my husband another job so far away from family? Minnesota was nice, but it was hard being away from my family.  Why did you do that?

Why couldn’t my life have been just a tad bit easier?

Why must my children always learn life’s lessons the hard way?

I am sure every one of us has “why” questions we cannot wait to ask the Lord…questions that we keep deep in our hearts.  Simple questions we revisit every now and then when we are feeling low, burdened, or as my mother would say “feeling sorry for ourselves”.

And then, about thirty minutes from home,  I recalled something else Alex kept repeating over and over. Whenever I said we had to pick up his toys to make mommy happy, his response would be “You are right Grandma”.  Or, when I told him he needs to brush his teeth so they stay nice and white, he would say “You are right”.  We need to put on our coats because it is cold outside... “You’re right Grandma, you’re right”.   No argument, just pure acceptance that the reason we did something was because it was the right thing to do.

Maybe our “why” questions to the Lord need no other answer than the one Alex gave me last week.

“Whatever the reason is Lord… You are right, You are right.”

And we should just leave it at that.

Copyright 2011 Carol S. Bannon