February 9, 2011
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On the Lips of Children…
(My sister and I when I was three and she was two, I think!)
I have a brother here whose sister is a philosophy professor somewhere out there in College Land. She has made it a point to ask each of her children when they are about seven or eight the following question: How do you know that you exist?
Can you imagine? This brother of mine shared with us the answers that each of her children gave when they were asked.
Her first child, a daughter, answered, “Because other people can see me.” Isn’t that so clever? To know at that age the importance of our own existence being affirmed and confirmed by others in our life?
Her second child, a son, answered, “Because I can move stuff around.” Clever again! He knows that his existence impacts the world around him; a very manly answer I would say.
But her third child, another daughter, I think gave the wisest and most profound answer of all. Remember this is all true; he told this to us at dinner just a couple of nights ago.
Her third child, in response to the question, answered, “I know I exist because God loves me.”
Wow.
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Comments (15)
Thanks for sharing. Children are so blessed with showing us Gods love. This really makes the idea of those who enter heaven are like little children, ring true.
I’m often reminded how much easier faith is for a child. Thanks for sharing these.
I remember at this age grappling with that same question.
I think I concluded that everyone was robots.
The 3rd child seems to be clued into something very special in a very special way.
Wow. Thanks for sharing!
As a philosophy student, I have to say: awesome post!
I love the simple answers of children. Often they truly get it better than us adults.
@kamrandolph -
We do forget so much when we grow up; I think part of the struggle we face as Christians is to reclaim part of our childhood that was lost.
I know I exist because I still feel pain, heartache and sadness…..but I also feel love and that is the greatest of them all.
I am going to ask a three year old this question later today. I doubt that she’ll comprehend it, but it will be fun to see what she says.
Children have such great insight.
How do they know what “exist” means?
Wow, indeed! No wonder God tells us we must become like little children if we are to enter the kingdom of Heaven. See my post today about my own childhood memory of learning about Jesus. I was raised a Protestant, so I don’t know if you are familiar with “Good News Clubs”.
@Amythist_Malaise -
I wasn’t raised Protestant, but my parents sent my siblings and I to a Good News Club after school for several years. Basically I think my brother, our two friends and I just spent our time driving the nice lady crazy!
@NightCometh -
I have no idea, but I find it refreshing to know that they aren’t yet at an age where they start questioning whether or not they exist at all!