CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

“A child is an island of curiosity surrounded by a sea of question

marks.”

-- Anonymous

“Mommy, where does God sleep?” asked a cute little girl with a cute

little voice.

I couldn’t hear the mother’s answer, but she couldn’t have said much

before the next question came. “How does God know what time it is?” the

girl asked, playing with her braid.

Her mother sat up straighter. This time I could hear the reply. “Well,

I think that since God knows everything, He knows what time it is too,”

the mother answered.

“Does God know that chocolate is my favorite?” the little girl asked

with a grin.

“I’m sure God knows that too, honey, and speaking of time, it’s time

for you to give me a hug.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the little girl threw her arms around

her mother. Then she wiggled out from the hug, down off the couch and

started skipping my way.

I was in the waiting room at a doctor’s office. I was seated next to a

big rock fountain that wasn’t on. The little girl looked at it, studied

it from every side and put her ear out as if trying to hear something.

“I guess it’s not working,” I said.

“Well, maybe nobody tried yet,” she said confidently.

She clapped her hands three times. She must have thought it operated

like the lights that respond to clapping, but nothing happened.

Then she stomped her feet, apparently hoping for the same results. She

cocked her head back and forth, then bent down and knocked on it, like it

was a front door. Still nothing.

“Thank you for trying,” I said.

“You’re welcome,” she answered.

“Honey, don’t bother the nice lady,” her mother said.

“She’s no bother at all. She’s just precious,” I said. “She asks good

questions too.”

“Thank you, she does keep me on my toes,” the mother answered, and

then the little girl stood on her toes and twirled around.

“What’s your name?” the little girl asked me. I told her mine and

asked hers.

“It’s Autumn,” she answered proudly.

I complimented her on her beautiful name. Autumn had bright blue eyes

and a little button nose dotted with freckles. She clapped for the

fountain again, shrugged her shoulders and skipped back to her mother.

“Why doesn’t the fountain work?” asked the beautiful little bundle of

energy.

“I don’t know sweetheart, but let’s talk about the next few days,” her

mom said. “I’m sure going to miss you when I’m gone.”

Autumn thought a moment and then said, “I’m going to miss you more

than a rainbow. I’m going to miss you more than, more than Cheerios. Why

do they call them Cheerios, Mom?”

Just then Autumn started hiccuping. “Do you think God ever hiccups?”

Autumn asked mid-hiccup.

I was almost sad when my name was called. I said goodbye to mother and

daughter. I’d enjoyed the interchanges and was touched by the mother’s

obvious love and patience.

I thought of how obviously loving and patient God is with me. It’s

comforting to know that God listens to everyone of my questions. But I’m

especially thankful that He actually knows all the answers.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.