Religious Candid Camera

On the way home from a family party the other day, my daughter was asking me about Jesus. She started out easily enough, asking, "Are there 2 gods? Jesus, and then God the father too?" And I said, "Yes. That's what we believe."

And then she asked, "And Jesus died, but he's supposed to come back again, right?" And I said, yes to that too.

Then she asked, "Wouldn't it be cool if he came back soon?" And so I said, "Yes, that would be really cool."

And then she asked, "If he comes back, can he stay with us?" What could I say? So, of course I said, "Yes." Because really, if Jesus needs a place to crash, we'd be happy to put him up.

Then she asked, "Shouldn't we get a room ready for him?" It started to feel like being on an episode of religious Candid Camera. What was I supposed to say? I remember sermons and bible verses that say we should always be ready for Jesus to show up. I don't want to be quoted as saying no to being ready for Jesus. But on the other hand, I really don't want to give up a room to the possibility. Nor do I want to be quoted as saying that if he would actually show up, he could sleep on the couch.

Instead, in a moment of insight, I said, "I suppose we could. Maybe we can turn your play room into a guest room for Jesus." And that was pretty much the end of that religious discussion.

Just for the record, if Jesus comes to the door, my husband and I would probably let him have our room. I'd even change the sheets.

Tombstone Purchase

In the locker room this morning, I overheard a woman telling a friend that her husband just purchased a tombstone. She was upset, in part, because he didn't consult her about it at all. But it's easy to imagine being upset for all sorts of reasons. Why would he think, after a lifetime together, that he should do it without any input from her? I suppose it also involves considering what will become of his, and her, remains after they die, something they maybe should talk over. And what would prompt a husband to decide, suddenly, that purchasing a tombstone is urgent? And how do you even choose a tombstone - what are the criteria? And how do you know if you got a good one?

Ick.

Honesty

I love the talks I have with my daughter, after her lights go out and before I leave her room.

Tonight she was asking if it is OK sometimes for her to have secrets. I told her that was OK. I realize that she's old enough to start wanting to keep some of her thoughts private. I told her it isn't OK to lie to people, but it is OK not to tell them everything.

Then she pressed the point about lying. She argued that sometimes it's OK to lie, or at least to stretch the truth. I agreed, that it's OK to stretch the truth, or even to lie a little bit, but only when it's to protect someone's feelings. She agreed that it's OK in that situation, but also to protect unicorns. And I had to agree. It's also OK to lie a little to protect unicorns.