God Don’t Have No Grandma

“God Don’t Have No Grandma” is a song and story (song sold separately) that attempts to answer the age old question concerning the “First-ness” of God in a new and exciting way. Its complex ideas and theology are presented in a format that children can understand and assists them in pursuing the mystery that is God at whatever age they begin to inquire about His origin. This story is set in a Christian African-American home. Come along and join Sheddy for nap-time at Grandma’s house. He won’t be able to fall asleep until he gets an adequate answer about where God came from.

As adults we sometimes feel that we haven’t responded to questions of faith thoroughly, especially when it comes to ways that a child can understand. But like the grandma in this story, you don’t have to be eloquent in speech. Although she spoke broken English, she was able to relate to her grandson like no one else could. Likewise, when you are willing to use what you have been given, God will take it and endow it with life-shaping clarity.

Questions are essential for a child’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual development. Children can understand a lot more than we give them credit for. And the things they don’t understand, they are masters at accepting by faith. For this reason Jesus urges us to become more like them (Mark 10:13-16). So rest in the fact that God has initiated a personal relationship with your child, hence the spiritual and philosophical questions they’re asking. Our main job is to fan the flames and create an environment for God to keep engaging our children.

The LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:4-10 NIV

Your child may or may not hear an audible voice like Samuel did but God will surely begin a dialogue with them one day. It’s what He does. Maybe they’ll hear the voice of creation (Psalm 19:1-4 / Romans 1:20) and may respond to it by asking a series of questions to you, their parent or guardian. Eli was Samuel’s guardian and could have chosen either to partner with God or work in opposition to Him. He chose to partner with God by teaching Samuel how to respond to God, thus furthering their personal relationship. This is what God is asking you to do for your child as well. It is God’s pleasure to speak with and reveal the hidden things to them (Luke 10:21).