Listening Ears

A recent car ride to my mom's house included 26 questions in 12 minutes from Jacob. That's more than two a minute according to my math. Don't take me at my word, I was not an A student in math. Or a B student. But, roughly, 26 questions divided by 12 minutes equals ringing ears.

This is the standard these days with a four year old in the house. I don't even count Kaylen's questions because she doesn't yet demand answers. But for Jacob, anything and everything is a question. I got pulled over last week for speeding (speeding as in just cruising along in a 45mph zone, not like flying). I know, I know. That's not the point. The point is, when the police man asked me if I had any questions, I should have rolled down Jacob's window and let him barrage the police officer. I guarantee you he would have ripped up my ticket and let me go. 

Then today, a car window got shattered when something flew into it as we passed some men doing roadside maintenance. Jacob wasn't even with me when it happened and let me tell you, I am grateful he was not. But that doesn't stop the questions from coming. Who did it? Why did they do it? What noise did it make? Was it loud? Why did they break our window? Why did you break our window? How loud was the noise? Did you cry? Did Marlee cry? And on and on and on. 

It can be so exhausting to answer so many questions. But I'm noticing that among the many pointless questions are some really important ones. Does God love everyone? Did the Cross hurt? Is God older than me? How can God see me in the car? Important questions that deserve serious answers. 

I'm beginning to think that God wired four year olds to search for answers as a response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. As much as the growing mind of Jacob wants to learn, so his heart begins to open to understanding. He begins to seek as all men seek. 

God, give me patience to sit through the unimportant questions so that when the life changing ones come, I am already listening.