A Word to the "Why's?"

Little boy: "Why are we not allowed to play that game on the computer anymore?"
Me: "It's just not allowed anymore."
Little boy: "Why is it not allowed?"
Me: "The teachers feel that it is not the most appropriate game. We found some things on there we don't like."
Little boy: "But, what if I just don't go on those parts?"
Me: "There's too much temptation and even if you were good about it, not everyone would be."
Little boy: "but..."
Me: "I'm sorry, but there's nothing you can say to change it, the decision is made."
Little boy: "but why? "
Me: "I already told you. "
Little boy: "but why?"
Me: "We're not doing this."
Little boy: "but why?!"
Me: "There's no reason to argue, there are plenty of other things to do"...
Little boy: "why?!!"

This is a conversation I had with a boy during summer camp one year. The quotations are used loosely, but it's the general conversation. There were many more dialogues similar to that one about many different topics. Children get really frustrated when they don't understand something. I try to help them understand the best I can, but sometimes it's best they just obey and trust. I, in my human form, try my best to be patient and see things from their perspective, but it's not always easy. I forget what it was like to be that young sometimes and the curiosity that abides with adolescence.
What is ironic about that is, I do the same thing as an adult. SO I really needn't try to find memories from my childhood, but think about how I felt yesterday about something I didn't understand and wanted answers to.
Chris deals with this on a regular basis. Multiple times, he will have to deal with underage drinkers, dwi's..etc... where the person doesn't understand why they are being arrested or ticketed. (Mostly because they are out of it), but also because they feel they should get away with it.  So realistically, since ultimately we are all still children, the questions never go away. The difference is,however, the more developed one becomes, the more knowledge they acquire on how to find answers. It's a person's choice to seek answers, or to become educated. Right now with the DOW plunging 400 some odd points this week, with an economic downfall, with riots happening as far across the waters as London, people are finding some boldness to ask some questions. It may not always be in the right way, but they are asking. They are wanting to be heard, they are desperate. Many will not find the answers they want to hear.
"Desperate", "Desperately seeking" - these are words that I'm playing in my heart over and over and over. Many times in my life, I have sought answers as to why things happen. Many people I love are seeking answers for things they are experiencing even today. There is nothing wrong with "seeking", it's where you choose to seek and if we educate ourselves on how to find answers. We have the tools at our disposal, we just need to put them into use. "Jesus, the most beautiful name the I know...", "I believe that You're my healer"..."Our God is greater...if our God is for us than who can ever stop us...", "then all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory..." these words were written by people who desperately sought the Lord. Moses, Abraham, David, Hannah, Ruth...some names that desperately sought the Lord. What separates this bunch from the former, is they found what they were looking for. They found the Lord, they had an open hand about the outcome. They gave up their defenses and became vulnerable. There was a process. It's up to us to hear the Lord when we ask. We need to follow instruction and obey and trust. But...why? This is a question that seems to take the longest for me to find the answer to. The "why's", to me, seem to be best answered when you are no longer asking that question, but are in the "what" and "how" stage. "What do you want me to do,Lord? What is the purpose of this situation? How can I be obedient? What are your plans for me during this time? Once I focus on that, I am wrapped up in all of the fruitfulness of obedience. I am washed clean with love and showered with blessing- God uses me to give, bless and honor those around me....then "all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory"... the Lord says "this is why".
It's definitely easier said than done. I am a planner, and I want to know right now, today, why Chris and I have not been given a baby yet. Sometimes I can picture myself, arms crossed, tapping my foot, staring up at the Lord asking this. But most of the time, it's through inner tears of frustration. As I see many around me going through challenging circumstances- I pray that the Lord help us all to know He hears our cries. This is part of the purpose- and I would much rather be in His purpose than have even 1 child- not according to God's planning and timing. I would rather wait on His perfection....but I still want to know why. Why the pain?
 "Wait" is the not the most exciting thing to hear the Lord say...but I sure hear it a lot! Just like I wrote at the top: the little one just couldn't understand yet about temptation, even though I tried to explain. We aren't always in a place where things will make sense yet. We have to get there first. However, curiosity is an amazing thing. God gave us very complex minds, and even more perplexing hearts and only He knows the depths. Where some like to say "curiosity killed the cat" (which I have the most curious, trouble-making cat on the planet and he is perfectly fine- I have never understood that saying! lol) curiosity kills strongholds and crutches. The more we seek Him, the more we will find Him. Sometimes, the purpose is to find rest, see love in a new light, and to be blessed beyond all we could think or ask, I will find my answers soon enough...all in "due" time....