Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear?

by Kelly Knowlden

Every person wants to know the answer to some basic questions and there are some very funny skits using these questions... a young man asking his mentor, “Who am I? Why am I here?... Why do
birds suddenly appear?” [last question is for those of us who remember The Carpenters song Close To You]

Of course, the seriousness of the first two questions really demands an answer that can only be given in the context of family. I have written about parents naming their children in past weekly reminders, so I would like to focus on the second question: Why am I here?

All of us need a sense of purpose that is tied to reality. While children are young and their personalities and propensities are still developing, it is exciting to think of all the possibilities that are open to them. Communicating a sense of hopefulness in anticipating the future is necessary so that children do not become cynical or bitter.

However, what children need more than that is to have an “ultimate” sense of their purpose, namely, that they are created by God for the purpose of delighting in Him. God is to be enjoyed. It is fun for children to go to Grandma’s house because they have a sense of Grandma’s love for them that is different from yours [partially because you have to deal with the day to day...]. They need to sense that same enjoyment with God. They are here to be submissive to Him and His direction for them. That is why submission is so important to teach them. If they gain that sense of humility while they are young, they will know great peace and delight in the odd directions, twists and turns that “life” brings them.

So how do you develop that sense of purpose? Tell them the old, familiar stories of the Bible with that perspective. When reading of Samson, talk about how Samson was living for pleasures and desires that were temporary. He did not sense His need to be delighting in God who gave him his strength. He thought that “I am strong enough for this.” Then talk to your children about how we believe the same lie. “I can do this...” is inculcated from the time children read Grover from Sesame Street until they start watching every movie out there. Every video game is based on that premise.