Listen to people, and not just the words

In January, I coordinated a program at a conference, for children aged 3-4. Mostly the children are from families who believe in Jesus, but some have come to the conference with grandparents who believe, while the parents don't.

I read a story book to some kids, during a time of free play. The book (chosen by a child) was a re-telling of Noah's Ark.

One of the children, one who had come with his grandparents, comes up, and listens to the dialogue between Noah and God. He looks, and points to Noah, and asks, 'Is that God?'

'No', I said.

He points to the picture of Noah on the facing page. 'Is that God?'

'No', I said.

'Where is God?'

'Well,'  I said, 'God is everywhere, really, but we can't see him. And it is tricky, because usually when people talk in books we see their picture. But we don't usually draw pictures of God.'

'Where is God?'

One of the other children interrupts. 'In heaven.'
This answer seemed to hit the mark.

'Yes,' I said. 'In heaven.'

In my quest for theological accuracy, I'd forgotten the development of the child. 'Everywhere' is not yet a sensible answer for him. I hope that he heard that I acknowledged the question, and that he would remember me as having tried.

But the child who answered gave the best answer. She understood the question where it was coming from, and gave the answer to the question he had asked. 

And he was satisfied with that.

When Jesus answered questions, he sometimes gave apparently bizarre answers. Yet people seemed happy with the answers he gave. I wonder if that's because he understood the questions. Or because he knew that people are more important than (some) facts. Or more likely, both. 

What have I learned from these kids? That people are more important than facts. That hearing and understanding the question is the only way to give the right answer. That knowing answers is not going to help unless you also know the questions. And that the simplest answers can sometimes be the best.