Opus 2025-439: You’re Not Old Enough

My granddaughter had met me out on the porch and we got to discussing the sunrise.  As I was trying to explain to her the dynamics of the Earth rotating and us seeing the sun rising, it became more visible.  First there was the upper curve.  Then the clouds closed and opened the window and suddenly we were looking at the bottom slice.  I came up against the problem explaining to her how we were on a planet rotating at about 1000 miles an hour and traveling through space around the sun, even faster than that while she felt she was sitting still.  It is a good question.

I thought of all kinds of illustrations and applications.  To me they seem to make sense, and I’m sure you would agree.  At the same time I could see her eyes glazing over and her mind going into neutral and her mouth wanting to say, “Sure, Grandpa.”

Someday she’ll be able to understand.  One of the things that adults forget is that there is a development in the thought process that comes with maturity.  I remember when I was placed in an experimental math class in seventh grade.  I was supposed to have great math ability or at least math aptitude.  It was probably true, however, I was not mentally mature enough to grasp certain things.  I can remember going home literally crying because I could not understand variables.  How could X be worth seven but also be worth 21?  My brain could not wrap itself around it.  And then one day there was an epiphany.  I don’t know why but suddenly it made sense.  I was on my way.

I also wasn’t ready until the moment of that epiphany.  Children are like that.  We need to understand it.  No matter how clever you are, they are not ready.  It’s not an insult to say you’ll understand when you’re older.  It’s a statement of fact.  I’m sure it frustrates the child and makes them doubt your sincerity.  That does not change the truth.

We see this in so many areas of our lives.  When I look at things in the Bible that I’m having trouble grasping, I need to remember that it’s very possible that even at my age, my mind is not mature enough to grasp the complexities and the relationships.  Some things like the trinity and the incarnation would fall in that category.  Some such as the resurrection are so glorious that we can’t comprehend.  In addition to that, there are every day events such as the murder of Charlie Kirk, where we keep asking ourselves, “Why?”

There are answers to the big questions and the mysteries of life.  We may not be able to grasp them.  We may lack vital information.  It may be just that our mental hand/eye coordination is not ready yet.  Be patient.  You’ll understand when you grow up.  Or when you are resurrected.

And don’t give me any of that, “Sure, Grandpa” nonsense.

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