Deal.
So, two nights ago we gathered to read the story of the Prodigal Son.
All was going well. Until-
"Mom, what does p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.e.s. spell?"
I had to pause and figure it out . . . ohhhhh. Ding-dangit, you wayward son!
"Prostitutes."
"Right. But what is it?"
I played dumb.
"Prostitutes. The word is prostitutes."
"Mom! I know! But what IS it?"
Really?! Really?!
Long pause.
"It is referring to someone who doesn't treat their body the way God intended."
Gosh, that was lame. I wanted to expand about how some women and men make the choice to abuse their bodies in this way, but also that many poor souls are forced into these situations, etc. I knew, however, that it wasn't the time to delve into the topic as is should be handled. So, I hoped my brief, shoot from the hip (not to mention inadequate) answer would suffice.
But she wasn't done.
"Don't treat their body right, like how?"
"We'll talk more about it later."
"Like later when you put me to bed?"
No, like later when you're 50!
"No, Harper, not tonight. But I promise you that we will talk about it. Just not tonight. Not yet."
Zane was sitting on the floor taking it this entire conversation. His turn.
"I think I know what it is."
Oh, come on . . .
"Well, I'm not sure, actually. But I'm pretty sure it has something to do with something disgusting."
We went on to finish the story focusing on the most important part of the entire piece - at least to me.
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:31-32)
A beautiful story of redemption. We HAVE TO, MUST celebrate when one who is "dead" is brought back to "life" - when one who was "lost" is now "found". We talked about how God's arms are wide open - ready to welcome us back with a hearty celebration, regardless our choices and failures. Regardless of who we once were. For there is nothing that can separate us from His love.
This is true for e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e.
2 comments:
well done! An excellent "from the hip" and godly answer if I ever heard one!
The book of Hosea has that word in it AND I L.O.V.E. the book Redeeming Love by Fracine Rivers. GREAT analogy of Hosea.
Generally when we run across something like this, I add more to the answer every time but as little possible and keep going until they are satisfied. Then, I think, their brains have taken in all they can handle for their age.
Does that make sense?
Also, I try to answer every question. I guess I worry that they'd go to someone else to get answers and I want them to have the answers that WE give them.....
But I think you had an AWESOME response "off the cuff"!!!!
Impossible to prepare for these conversations, huh? I always remember Corrie ten Boom writing about what her father told her when she asked one of 'those' questions when she was a girl. He asked her to pick-up his heavy toolbox, and she tried and said it was too heavy. He agreed and said it was just like the answer to her question... too heavy for her now and he would carry it until she was older and able to carry it herself.
Beautiful isn't it? If only I could come up with such responses...
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