But Why, Daddy? - A Devotional By LeBron Keener

But Why, Daddy? - A Devotional By LeBron Keener 

“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 18:3 KJV)

It started at breakfast.

“Daddy, why is the sky blue?”

“Because of how the sunlight hits the atmosphere, buddy.”

“Oh. But why does light do that?”

And so it began.

From cereal to the car ride, from the grocery store to the front porch, five-year-old Jonah had questions.

“Why do birds sing?”

“Why do people get old?”

“Why does God let it rain?”

“Why do we close our eyes to pray?”

His dad chuckled through most of it, occasionally searching for answers, other times admitting, “I don’t know, Jonah, but it’s a good question.”

By the end of the day, as Jonah curled up in his Lightning McQueen pajamas, he had one more:

“Daddy, why does God love me even when I’m bad?”

That one made him pause.

He sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed his son's hair. “Because that’s who God is. He doesn’t stop loving you when you mess up. Just like I don’t stop being your daddy. God’s love doesn’t break.”

Jonah thought for a moment, then whispered, “That’s a good answer.”

His dad smiled. So many questions. But what a gift to look at the world with such wonder, such hunger to understand, such trust that the answers matter.

Reflection:

Children have a way of tugging at truth with their questions. They don’t ask to be difficult. They ask because they want to understand. They trust there’s an answer, and more importantly, that someone will care enough to give it.

Jesus said that unless we become like little children, we won’t enter the kingdom of heaven. He wasn’t telling us to be immature but to be curious. Humble. Eager. Trusting. Willing to sit at His feet and ask, “Why?” and believe He’ll respond with love.

Faith isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing Who to ask.

Prayer:

"Father, give me a heart like a child—full of wonder, hungry to learn, and bold enough to ask questions. Remind me that You never grow tired of my asking, and that Your answers are always rooted in love. Amen."

Challenge:

Take time this week to ask God a question you've been afraid to voice. Don’t worry about how small, deep, or messy it sounds. Ask like a child, and then listen. Sometimes, the answer comes in a whisper. Sometimes in the waiting. But always in His love.