It was one of those lengthy car journeys to visit relatives—five hours, complete with multiple bathroom breaks, a “Mom, I need to go now” moment, a much-needed coffee stop, and, of course, a fast-food pitstop. When I say it felt prolonged, I truly mean it.
My 8-year-old son, Alex, often engages me in deep philosophical discussions during these trips. He has a knack for posing questions that leave me scrambling for answers, and on this particular day, the topic shifted to religion.
Religion has always been a complex subject for me. While I consider myself spiritual, it doesn’t equate to being religious. So when Alex asked about God, I was momentarily stumped. “Mom, was God a human on Earth? Was He here?” he inquired, pointing around the car. “How did He die? Where did He go? Was He always invisible, or just now?”
Great, I thought. This was one of those pivotal moments in his childhood. My response could shape his understanding for years to come. I could envision him discussing this in therapy someday, describing my shortcomings in areas like religion and politics.
“Well,” I started, “that’s a tough question. I think Jesus was human? Wait, is that correct? I could pull over and look this up. Is this important to you? You seem confused. Am I making it worse?” I was flustered.
To complicate matters, my youngest suddenly announced he needed to use the restroom. As I stood in a Porta Potty at a gas station in California, I was forced to take a moment to gather my thoughts. How was I going to navigate this conversation without revealing my own uncertainties? I grew up without much exposure to religion, and when I did attend services, I was often more focused on post-church meals than the sermons themselves. I didn’t want to undermine Alex’s curiosity.
After my toddler finished his business, I returned to the car, only to be met with Alex’s eager request: “Mom, can you get me that Bible you mentioned?”
Oh wow, I had completely overlooked that I had brought up the Bible earlier. “Yes!” I exclaimed. “What a wonderful idea! I’ll definitely get you one!”
“Can I have it today?” he pressed.
“Not today, but soon—like in two days,” I replied.
“Oh, you’re going to order it from Amazon, right?” he said, grinning.
He knows me too well.
Once we returned home from our trip, I immediately ordered a children’s Bible. I was just as excited as Alex, who eagerly joined me in browsing different options. We found one with great reviews, and as we flipped through the pages, I was struck by the realization of how much I wished I had a similar resource during my own childhood.
I always wanted someone to answer my questions about God and life, to guide me when I was curious, rather than dismiss my inquiries. So, it was only natural that I wanted to provide my son with the same opportunity for exploration.
This wasn’t the first time Alex had shown interest in faith, and I began to imagine the possibilities. Maybe he would want to learn about the stories, attend church, or even contribute to a community of faith. Just because I’m not religious doesn’t mean I want to hinder my children’s spiritual journeys. I want them to discover who they are fully, and if that involves nurturing their exploration of faith, then let’s embrace it!
I cherish my children’s curiosity and their thirst for knowledge. I will always be there to listen to their inquiries, no matter how small they may seem, because they carry the potential for significant change in their lives.
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In summary, while I may not identify as religious, I am committed to supporting my son’s exploration of spirituality and faith, allowing him to navigate his own path.