When a Child Says This to You

The 4th graders are studying astronomy in school. Back at home, I decide to show some children the amazing video from the Hayden Planetarium. In their Digital Universe Video, viewers can observe a film that “incorporates data from dozens of organizations worldwide to create the most complete and accurate 3-D atlas of the universe from the local solar neighborhood out to the edge of the observable universe.”

The edge of the observable universe! We’re sitting there in front of the computer, mouths agape and eyes so wide. The children have so many questions! Black holes, worm holes, other galaxies. . . we just can’t believe it all. I tell them about sublime experiences and how what we’re feeling is that coupling of wonder and fear because the thing we’re observing goes beyond human imagination.

“It’s just so incredible,” I say. “When I get to heaven, I’m going to have so many question about this. I will ask God about everything. Won’t you?”

A child turns to face me like I am a crazy person, like I’m absolutely insane and completely unintelligent.

She says slowly, “Why would any of this matter? I won’t be concerned about all this because I’ll be with Jesus.”

In that one statement, I realized that even my most sublime experience on earth–and even out to the edge of the observable universe–will not compare to being with Jesus.