Benen

We're in church. It's quiet, the music has stopped and the pastor has stepped up to the communion table. He looks out over the congregation. "We've been doing a series on trust and as I look at this table with the bread and cup, I can't help thinking how much Jesus had to trust God."

He pauses to reflect. Benen is quietly coloring on his paper, looking for all appearances to be completely absorbed in his work. "How much to do think Jesus had to trust in God?"

A pause.

And then the voice beside me. "Ummm, A LOT!"

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"Mom, when you were a little boy, did you do this?"

"Well, Benen, first of all, I was never a little boy."

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Me - "Benen, why are you so funny?"

Benen - "Ummm......it's comp-ili-cated."

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"Benen, why are you so handsome?"

"Ummmmmm....because I'm really loved."

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Me - "Boys, close your eyes. We're gonna pray."

Chad - "Dear God, bless this food, our family and our evening together. Amen."

Benen - "Mom, I'm really sorry, but I opened my eyes two times."

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"Mom, sometimes does God make us sick?"

"No, Benen. Sometimes we just get sick."

"Mom, does God sometimes get sick?"

"No."

"Oh." A pause. "Mom, I wanna be God."