What Do You Want To Say To God?

Last Sunday we asked our elementary students to answer the question, “What do you want to say to God?”  We gave them no boundaries – just encouraged them to write whatever they wanted.  Here are a few of their answers:

• Can I have a hot tub?
• I am so happy you brought me into this world.
• What did the beginning look like before you created the heavens and the earth?
• You are awesome.
• Why do we have to pray?
• I love you God!
• Why do we have to believe in your Son?
• What do you do in heaven?
• Thank you for taking our sins away.
• Thank you for my family.
• Why do you not talk to us?
• Would you please help me with my life?
• Can I ever be different?  I don’t think so.
• Why am I so stupid?

Their answers really moved me.  I laughed and smiled at some and was surprised and heartbroken by others.  I thought their answers gave a pretty good picture of what kids think about God.  Is He a gift-giver, a super hero, a magician?  Can He really help me?  Does He hear me when I talk to Him?  Does He love me even when I’m not good?  Why did He make me?

But I think the real reason their answers affected me was because they mirror my own up and down opinions of God.

Some days it’s easy to be thankful for His many blessings or be overwhelmed by his love and power.  Some days it’s easy to laugh and rejoice and dream of all that God is and all that He is doing.

But, of course, there are always other days.  On those days I tend to unload my list of wants like He’s some great vending machine.  Or I’m full of doubts and accusations:  “Why don’t you do something?”  “Why don’t you answer me?”

The truth is I know that God loves me and that He is good.  But what I know to be true in my head often doesn’t translate in my heart.  Can I really trust God when the circumstances of my life are screaming that He is  absent?  Does He really love me when I all I feel is loneliness?   Am I willing to accept all that God has for me if that means I’ve got to accept heartbreak?

My answer to those questions is yes.  Sometimes it’s a yes through gritted teeth, but it’s always yes.  So I guess that’s what I want to say to God today.  “Yes.”

What do you want to say to God?

Jennifer