It was one of those never-ending car journeys to visit Grandma and Grandpa—five hours filled with restroom breaks, an unexpected “I think I need to go!” moment, a coffee stop for me, and, of course, a Happy Meal stop for the kids. When I say it felt long, I really mean it.
My 8-year-old, Jake, has a knack for diving into deep philosophical questions that often catch me off guard. He loves to throw me curves, especially when he senses my uncertainty, and on this particular day, the topic turned to religion.
Religion has always been a tricky subject for me. I consider myself spiritual, but I wouldn’t label myself as religious. So when Jake started asking about God, I went blank. Or perhaps I was just too apprehensive to admit my lack of knowledge.
“Mom, was God a person on earth? Was He here?” he asked, pointing to the seat beside him. “Or over there?” he gestured toward a nearby field. “How did He die? Where did He go? Was He always invisible, or just now?”
Oh great, I thought. This could be one of those defining moments in his childhood that he’ll remember for years to come. He might even bring it up in therapy, labeling my understanding of religion as “questionable.”
“Well,” I started, “that’s a tough question. I think Jesus was human? Wait, is that right? I could pull over and Google this if it’s important to you.” My panic was rising. “You look confused. Am I confusing you? Oh gosh, I hope I didn’t offend you!”
Just then, my toddler piped up that he needed to use the restroom. So there I was, standing in a Porta Potty by a California gas station, awkwardly positioned in the corner so my little one could focus. I couldn’t help but think about how I was going to navigate this conversation with Jake. I ultimately had to admit the truth: I didn’t grow up in a religious household, and my few visits to church were mostly spent thinking about what I’d order at Denny’s afterward. No one in my daily life practiced any form of faith, so I felt unprepared to guide Jake through his inquiries.
Once my toddler was done, I ushered him back to the car, and as I opened the door, Jake looked straight at me and said, “Mom, can you get me that Bible thing you mentioned?”
Oh my goodness! I had completely forgotten about that fleeting mention of the Bible during our awkward conversation about God. I was thrilled—and even more so that he remembered!
“Yes! That’s a fantastic idea! I’ll definitely get you a Bible!” I exclaimed.
“Like, today?” he asked eagerly.
“Well, I can’t get it for you today, but I can order it soon, like in two days,” I replied.
“Oh, you’re going to order it off Amazon, aren’t you?” Jake said, as if reading my mind.
When we returned home from our weekend trip, ordering a children’s Bible was my top priority. I felt just as giddy as Jake as we browsed through options together. We found one with great ratings and scrolled through pictures and stories. His excitement brought back memories of my own childhood—a time when I wished I had someone to answer my questions about God and life. I longed for someone to share knowledge with me instead of dismissing my curiosity.
This realization fueled my determination to get this book into Jake’s hands. This wasn’t the first time he had asked about God, and I began to dream of where it could lead him. Maybe he would want to teach me about the stories, or perhaps he’d even consider attending church, giving back, or becoming a pastor one day.
Even though I’m not religious, I want my children to explore their spirituality and faith freely. I’m here to support them in becoming their true selves, wherever their journey may lead. I cherish their curiosity and their desire for knowledge, and I’ll always be the one to listen to their questions—after all, those questions can truly change lives.
If you’re interested in exploring more about spirituality and personal growth, check out this other blog post here. Additionally, for more information on fertility and home insemination, visit Make a Mom and Rmany, which are excellent resources.
Summary:
In this heartfelt piece, Emma reflects on a car ride with her son Jake, who poses challenging questions about God. Despite not being religious, she recognizes the importance of nurturing her child’s curiosity about spirituality. This leads her to order him a Bible, hoping it will guide him in his exploration of faith and self-discovery.