DATE: September 3, 2009; SETTING: Wednesday night church event.
5 year old girl: Uhm, are you the one who talks all the time, the one I see on the stage on Sunday, the one who preaches?
Me: Yes, I’m the preacher.
5 year old: Uhm, do you preach through the Bible in order?
Me: Do you mean do I preach Genesis, then Exodus, then Leviticus and all the way in order to Revelation? No. I jump around some.
5 year old: Uhm, I was wondering if you would preach my favorite Bible story on my birthday?
Me: Well, when is your birthday?
5 year old: May 2. May 2 is a Sunday.
Me: May 2? May 2, 2010? That’s a long ways off.
5 year old: Yes, but would you preach my favorite Bible story on my birthday?
Me: What is your favorite Bible story?
5 year old: Uhm, I’ll be right back (she runs off and returns after a couple of minutes).
5 year old: OK, you can choose: the story of Jesus being born, or when Moses said, “Let my people Go!”
Me: Well, I can’t promise, but let me see what I can do.
I love it that she, like so many 5 year olds, was already thinking ahead to a birthday a long ways away and planning how to make the day a special day. I love it that she felt comfortable enough to come and talk to her preacher and make this request.
