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My five-year-old nephew Carman, a picky eater, was at my parents' house for dinner. Dad's rule was that you must taste a little of everything on your plate.

Looking at his food, Carman asked, "Grandpa, would it be okay if I asked God to help me with my dinner?"

Never wanting to discourage his grandchildren's faith, my dad agreed. Carman bowed his head and prayed silently. He then divided up the food on his plate and ate what he liked.

"What about the rest?" Dad inquired.

"That's God's part," Carman informed him.

—Sharon Espeseth
Barrhead, Alberta

An hour of Sunday school and an hour or more of worship can tire out an eight-year-old. Our son Tim was no exception.

When his Sunday school teacher asked the children to draw a picture of what they most liked about church, Tim drew the pastor standing in front of the congregation with outstretched arms. Asked what part of church that represented, he replied, "That's when pastor says, 'Go in peace.' "

—Jim Lagoe
Anacortes, Washington

I was reading the story of Jacob and Esau to my five-year-old daughter Sarah. After we read how Esau sold his birthright for something to eat, I remarked, "Esau traded the right to lead his family, and all he got for it was a bowl of stew."

"Yeah," Sarah agreed, "and he didn't even get dessert!"

—Sue Mosher
Canaan, Nova Scotia

Soon after Christmas, my three-year-old granddaughter Robyn was looking at a wedding picture of family friends. "What is Allie doing?" she asked her mother.

"She's getting married."

"What is Scott doing? Getting Josephed?" Robyn logically asked.

—Betty Christler
Marysville, Michigan

In our church's Awana club, one first-grader was having a difficult time memorizing John 3:16.

After several attempts, he triumphantly said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not panic but have everlasting life."

—Betsy Shook
Silver City, New Mexico

The subject of my flannelgraph children's story was Jesus' prayer on the Mount of Olives. I told them that Jesus faced a crisis and had to talk with someone. I suggested when they have a problem, they can talk with parents, grandparents, friends, or the pastor.

Trying to make a transition to Jesus' prayer in the garden, I asked if there was someone I hadn't named who will listen to our problems.

One little boy gave an unexpected answer, "A lawyer?"

—Wesley Richard
Lima, Ohio

We were completing our study of Noah in my Christian school and got into a discussion about God's promise, symbolized by the rainbow, not to destroy the earth by flood. After scrutinizing the colorful picture in his Bible story book, second-grader Kevin asked, "How long ago did this happen?"

"More than 5,000 years ago."

"Well, no wonder," he sighed. "Every time I see that rainbow in the sky it's so faded!"

—Jane Harbach
Racine, Wisconsin

It was Father's Day and my Sunday school class of five-year-old boys was working on homemade cards. I suggested they draw a picture of something their father liked—maybe golf balls, a fishing pole, a pet.

One youngster raised his hand. "May I draw a picture of my mom? My dad sure likes her a lot!"

—Clara Null
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Copyright © 1999 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
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