Ikea and the Incarnation

Ru and I were talking tonight before she went to sleep and somehow we started talking about where Jesus was. I told Ru that curious as it may sound, Jesus was everywhere. Ru first told me that I was wrong, that he wasn't everywhere. So I told her that yes, he was everywhere but in an effort to make things a bit simpler I added that there were two places he most liked to be - in heaven on his throne and with people who had humble hearts (Isaiah 57:15). But she wasn't ready to let a small thing like omnipresence go lightly. So we talked about how Jesus was right here with us and that yes, he could hear what we were saying. She then told me that she didn't want Jesus here and that she didn't want him to come into her room or into her brother's room because she was scared. So we talked about how she didn't need to be scared of Jesus, that he could protect us, that he was a safe place. I told her that I didn't completely understand it either but that Jesus did hear and see everything and that we could trust him and talk to him and learn to hear his voice. She then insisted that no, Jesus couldn't come here because he was too big for our house.

And then somehow I thought about Ikea kids furniture:

I asked Ru to think about the kid's table and chairs that she had upstairs from Ikea. I said, "Aren't those kid size and too big for Daddy?" She agreed. Then I said, "Yeah, they are for kids and Daddy doesn't really fit but he's not too big to sit with you at the table and play". She agreed and seemed instantly comforted at this thought. Then we prayed together that she wouldn't be afraid of Jesus' presence but that she would desire, know, and enjoy it.

I've blogged about this before but I'm still amazed at how much God helps me teach my kids and by how much he teaches me at the same time. It's awesome to associate an image of me sitting down at the Ikea table coloring or playing play-doh with Ru with Jesus' posture towards us. Whether you have kids or not, pay attention to these things because they teach us the kindgom of God.

Now right after this we cuddled a bit more and Ru looked at me and said, "God made me daddy." To which I replied, "Yes, he did". And then Ru said, "Just you and God made me, but not Mommy" to which I replied, "Uh, mommy and daddy made you and God made you too, but I think that's enough for one night".

And then I told her to go to sleep.