32. Serious Question.

After worship Sunday, I'm mingling with folks in the sanctuary and Jaden, one of our first-graders, comes up to me with a concerned look on his face. He says, "I need to ask you a question."

"So what's you're question?" I ask.

He stares up at me, then to Beth who's standing next to me.

Beth says, "Oh, do you want me to leave?"

Jaden nods and waves her away. Beth graciously walks away to talk with some other folks. Jadan sits down in the pew we're standing next to, and and sit down next to him. By this point, I'm thinking what's he gonna ask? Is he going to ask about Communion? Is he going to ask about Jesus? About the sermon? (Hey, I've had a third grader outline my sermon to me after church, so I'm not surprised by anything anymore.) What theological question am I going to have to answer at a first grade level?

With a look of single-minded intensity and a tone the portrayed the full gravity of the seriousness of his question, Jaden looks at me and asks:

"Why did you grow a beard?"