The assignment was simple: Take our youngest daughter out driving to get in her remaining practice hours before she takes her driving test later this week.
Never did I think it would turn into a theological discussion with her and her 15-year-old friend. But there we were discussing the majesty of an awe-inspiring mountainous cloud at sunset and the paradox of whether one could be “punished” by God if they’ve never even heard of God.
Heavy stuff for a Sunday evening drive in the country with a couple of teenagers. But oh what holy ground we covered.
It never ceases to amaze me how the most mundane of moments -- helping our daughter get in her practice time behind the wheel, for instance -- turns into a faithful moment if we allow for it and are in tune with it.
It all started innocently enough when we spied a beautiful cloud that resembled a snow-covered mountain peak tinged with pink thanks to the setting sun. Upon being moved by the sight, I mentioned how stunning it was and how God’s creation never ceases to amaze me.
Siri’s friend sitting in the back seat quickly took a 90 degree turn when she uttered out of the blue, “I think everyone goes to heaven. I mean, the Bible says God loves everyone, forgives everyone. So why wouldn’t all souls go to heaven?”
“Wait,” our daughter asked, “Don’t they have to know Jesus first? … I mean, I don’t know. You’re the pastor!”
“Ok,” I asked, “what if a child grows up in a country that is predominantly not religious, and they never learn of Jesus? Do you think God will blame that child?”
“Well, no, that doesn’t seem fair,” she said. “But don’t they say that if you don’t know Jesus, you can’t go to heaven.”
“Yes,” I said, “there are some who teach that, but what do you think?”
Siri’s friend from the back seat: “That’s why the Bible tells us that God loves everyone!”
“That does make sense,” Siri said. “But what do you think, Dubby?”
“Well, I generally like to defer to God when I don’t know the answer,” I said. “It seems pretty arrogant, to me, to do otherwise. But, truly what do you think? You’re just as knowledgeable on this topic as I am.”
“But, I don’t know,” Siri said, at the same time her friend uttered with urgency, “The Bible says God loves everyone!”
“Right!” I added.
Everyone seemed satisfied with the conversation ending there, as Siri had just pulled into the parking lot of the Dairy Queen which was to be our turnaround point after a bit of a sweet treat for a successful night of driving.
On the way home, Siri confided that she tells people in school all the time that she is “a pastor’s daughter,” adding that, “I like being a pastor’s daughter!”
Awww, that one knows how to twist a step-daddy’s heart!
That wasn’t the night I had anticipated when I thought of being in a car with two teenage girls for two hours. But it turned out to be lovely, and my heart was full when we got home.
Lesson learned again: The most expected moments can turn into a faithful experience if we allow for it and are in tune with it!
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