No comprende

My son turns three today. Yesterday I said to my wife, “Aren’t you glad Ethan’s birthday wasn’t today. His birthday would always be, 666.” While I’m not superstitious nor did I go around worrying about what MIGHT happen yesterday because of the date, I wouldn’t want my son to be subject to the number, especially if he would ever become a pastor later on in life. “Wow, our pastor’s birthday is 6/6/06. Makes me wonder…”

Six is one shy of seven. Duh. Hang with me. I realized that my son is doesn’t understand, grasping the faith. He falls short of understanding (because of his age) like six falls short of seven. I sat down to do my devotions yesterday and I started with Psalm 150. I said to Ethan, “Daddy’s going to read the Bible. Do you want to hear it.”

“Yes daddy.”

“Ok. ‘Praise the Lord…” I move through the psalm and Ethan’s face remains blank. I can tell he has no comprehension of the words I was reading. Eventually, I could tell he tuned me out, even only after five verses of the psalms. I wonder, is my son’s response similar to adults in our American culture when we talk about God, faith, Jesus, Bible, etc…using Christianeze to explain ourselves?

Maybe yesterday’s, 6/6/06 day, reminds us more of the vast numbers of spiritual people in the U.S. who have little or no comprehension when it comes to following Christ and life with God. Like my son, like the number six to number seven, they (we) fall short of understanding. And it wasn't as if I condemned Ethan for not understanding, nor did I talk louder or slower so that he would "get it." Nor should we codemn anyone for not understanding the Christian life. Instead, we begin to translate it patiently through our life and our words so that others gain a better and deeper understanding in the faith. People move from a six to a seven.

"This one goes to eleven."