Reflection 014: Grapes and Prelapsarian Existence

My 5 Year Old's Theological Musings

My daughter turned 5 this weekend.

Parenting is this perpetual, simultaneous dance between grief and pride.

I am so proud of who Haven is becoming. She is strong (willed). She is courageous. She is kind. She is finding her own voice and space as the youngest member of our tribe.

And yet, I mourn. I will never again share a nighttime routine with a four-year-old. 😭

In the hazy days of her early life, Haven would rest her head on my shoulder as I held her before bed. I would sing Jesus Loves Me, and even before she could speak, she would hum along with me.

Now, she has her own reflections on God and the human experience. Her unrehearsed theological musings are innocent, wide eyed, curious, and pure. She says to me the other night:

I’m glad God made grapes.
Because I love grapes.
And grapes are good for you.

Yes.
Little one.

This is the essential ingredient to a life of existential joy,
The prelapsarian anthropology all of us are trying to recover:

God is good.
God’s creation is good.
God’s goodness is all around us.

To participate in salvation is to recover that goodness in a world of disenchanted eyes, uncovering God’s design within the ordinariness of our humanity.

To be a saint is to have eyes to see…

Christ comes not to give us a way out,
but to show us — God is near.

A Prompt for Communion

What simple reality
in your present moment
is a gift from God?

Give thanks in silence,
with a smile.

Selah

Blessing

May you develop an intuition, extracted from the boring stereotypical cynicism and elitism that plagues our dull uninspiring eyes. May your instinctual way of seeing be immersed in the wonder of creation and the hope of a salvation that is unfolding here and now. And also, dear friend — May you enjoy produce as a child does, giving praise for flavor and nutrition, packaged in a bite sized, colorful oval of delight. Go in peace with thanksgiving.

In the Name of God
Giver of All Good Things

Amen.