It is humbling to (attempt to) answer a child’s questions.  My son is four years old, which means on any given day he may ask “Why do people honk their horns?” or “Why does it snow?” Most of the time, I answer his questions.  Often times, I refer him to his father.  Rarely do I feel I knock it out of the park.
The other day, my son asked “Momma, do we all die?”  I paused briefly and answered honestly.  I replied “Everyone eventually dies, but you know what? If you believe in God, you live forever.”  I explained John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
It was gospel in a nutshell, and it served me well at that moment.
I then reflected on another moment when I always recall John 3:16.  A friend of mine, who was 18 weeks pregnant, was given the devastating news that her unborn daughter had a fatal illness known as non-immune fetal hydrops. After meeting with dozens of doctors and praying for a medical miracle, my friend, her husband and family were given hope by a team of specialized medical professionals. Brianna Marie was born on March 16, 2012: we all joined together to pray for their daughter’s survival–after all she was born on 3:16!  After 15 hours, Brianna Marie was given everlasting life.  She lives on forever in God’s Kingdom and through the Brianna Marie Foundation.
After answering my son’s question and briefly reflecting and praying for Brianna Marie, we carried on with our day.  My son then asked “Momma, can I have a basketball hoop?” Much easier question this time.  My response, “Ask your father.”

-KayAnn Schoeneman