I am getting practice in ‘bedtime theology’ these days. As I was tucking my daughter into bed tonight we had the following talk about whether or not God cries. Any thoughts for explaining God’s suffering to a four year old?
Hannah: Daddy, does God cry?
Me: Well, Hannah, I know that when God’s Son was on earth he cried because one of his best friends, Lazarus, died. Then, he raised him from the dead.
Hannah: But does God cry now. Not just when he’s sad, but when he’s really happy too. You know, joyful cries.
Me: That’s a great question. I can’t say for sure, but I know this: the same Jesus who cried joyful tears and sad tears is now in heaven with God the Father.
Hannah: Who else is in heaven with God?
Me: Well, for starters, God the Father, his Son Jesus, and there is a whole bunch of angels who worship Jesus day and night.
Hannah: Do angels ever sleep?
Me: Definitely not, but you need to…now. Goodnight.
