AUGUST 31, Proverbs 2:1-9

Kevin looked up with a frown on his face. “You don’t look very happy,” observed his twin sister, Jenny. “What are you thinking about?” Kevin hesitated. “About God,” he said after a moment. “I’ve just been wondering if God really hears us when we pray.”

“Of course He does!” exclaimed Jenny. “Another thing… my Sunday school lesson says God is everywhere,” added Kevin. “How can that be? And how can He have no beginning?”

“I can’t believe you’re questioning God,” scolded Jenny. “Better not let Dad hear you do that!”

“Do what?” asked Dad as he joined them. “Come on-out with it.” “Oh… it’s just that sometimes I don’t understand things about the Bible and God,” mumbled Kevin. “I have lots of questions I’d like to ask, and Jenny thinks that’s wrong.” “Well,” said Dad, “it’s perfectly okay for you to have those kinds of questions.” “It is?” exclaimed the twins in unison. “It’s by asking questions that you learn,” said Dad. “For example, Jenny, you made macaroni and cheese for our lunch last Saturday, right?” As Jenny nodded, Dad continued. “How did you learn to do that?”

“I heard her ask Mom a ton of questions,” Kevin chimed in. “She had to ask how much water to use and what temperature to set the burner on. And she asked how long it had to boil.” He turned to his sister. “You saw Mom make it a million times, Jenny, but you didn’t know anything when you tried to do it yourself.” “Well, I could do it now,” replied Jenny.

Dad smiled. “I think you could,” he agreed. “Asking questions helped you learn what to do. And that’s one reason God doesn’t mind when you ask honest questions-He knows it helps you learn. You’ve watched Mom and me try to follow God and live for Him, and you’ve imitated what you’ve seen us do. But as you grow older, you may have questions about God and living for Him. Don’t be afraid to ask them, even if they’re hard ones. Getting answers to your questions will help you really know what you believe. I may not know all the answers to your questions, but I’ll promise to find out!”

Thought: Are there things you don’t understand about God? You’re not the only one, and it’s okay to ask questions.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for the clarification that it is OK to ask genuine questions. Sometimes I am afraid to ask so please give me the courage to ask my parents, Sunday school teachers, or any good Christian adult I feel I can talk to. In Jesus’ name, Amen.