Golden Arches

There are many things in this world that we complicate as adults. In many cases, we simply don’t have all the answers. This couldn't be any more true than with the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. So many questions left unanswered.

Recent focus on the lives of young children has reminded me that a child’s perspective is often more relevant than we think. As adults we “mature” while often losing touch with the simple, fundamental truths we learned in our youth.

My son Collin’s somewhat humorous view about Heaven is further proof of this fact. What seemed like a funny question actually carried a lot more weight after giving it some thought. I had the opportunity to share Collin’s insight a few weeks ago on Sunday morning. I capture it here because it’s an encouraging reminder from time to time. Regardless of your theology, I think you can appreciate the sentiment.

COMMUNION THOUGHT | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2012

Good morning, Bammel family and friends. For those of you that I have not met, my name is Jason. My wife, Kimberly, and I are the proud parents of three mostly well-behaved children: our oldest son Collin (8), our middle son Caleb (6) and our daughter Payton (5).

Based on their ages, I am sure that many of you can either appreciate or relate to the fact that our family periodically engages in deep theological conversations with our children. The topics often vary but Collin, being the elder sage of the group after completing the first half of 3rd grade, has repeatedly raised a very critical question from a Christian’s perspective. In fact, I suspect it is a question that Rick, the elders and church staff wrestle with on a daily basis.

Collin’s question is this: “Dad, will there be a McDonalds in Heaven?”

Now, I don’t know if there will be a McDonalds in Heaven or not. But I do know this: we’ll all get the opportunity to help Collin look. More specifically, as a father myself, I know I’ll have the chance to help my son find those eternal Golden Arches because our Heavenly Father fulfilled a plan through His Son to help us all find the way to Heaven.

We share communion every Sunday to remember that plan and the sacrifice that God made when he allowed his only son, Jesus, to be crucified on the cross. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection have provided us all with the opportunity to walk the streets of Heaven one day.

And given this truth, maybe Collin’s eight-year-old perspective on things isn't so far-fetched. After all, no matter what’s on the menu up in Heaven, I think we all would agree that it will certainly be a happy meal.