Hey Mom, What If?

Today is finally feeling like fall. Nice and crisp and a "breeze" that might just lift you off your feet.

I had a very interesting conversation over lunch today with my 9 year old. You see, I'm working at reading a book called The God Delusion. I'm sure you've heard of it. Anyway, a certain brilliant friend of mine who also happens to be an Atheist asked me to read it, so I'm giving it a go. Trying to read this over lunch sparked some interest from The Little Mr.

Hey mom?

Yes, all spoken communication in my home starts with the phrase, hey mom. For example, hey mom, the dog just threw up on the rug. Hey mom, did you know the toilet is overflowing? Hey mom, there's a strange guy at the door, should I tell him to go away? Hey mom, is that a book about God and what's delusion?

Hmm, that'll get your attention over some luke warm coffee and hot dogs. Yes, I do eat the most appetizing lunches known to mankind.

So we had a little conversation. Not so much about delusion, but about how someone believes what they believe and what happens when someone else believes something else. We talked about the value of friendship and understanding other people's point of view. We talked about just how important it is to know what you're really talking about by going to the source.

One of my examples to him was that I'm both reading the Bible and The God Delusion. It will help me to think about what I think I know and talk about it. It will help me to learn and ask questions.

We talked a little bit about the price of being right in a conversation and what it could cost. Then we wondered if that cost would be worth it. We talked about respect and honesty. We talked about what it's like to have your beliefs challenged and whether that is good or bad or neither.

This was a precious conversation filled with questions and wondering and what if's. It was a window into the future. A little glimpse into the thoughtful man this boy will become.