A box of chocolates

In my Sunday morning class I love to encourage discussion. But asking an open ended question to a group of fourth graders is like the proverbial box of chocolates, you just never know what you are going to get. This past Sunday our topic was the book of Judges. My open ended question to the class was, “Who or what comes to your mind when you think of a famous judge?”


Now, being in a Bible class I’m thinking maybe I’ll get a Samson or Gideon answer. But I realize I did not specify a judge in the Bible, so I’m ready for Judge Judy or a general answer such as a person that wears a robe and sits in a courtroom. So I wasn’t quite prepared when the first answer I received was Jennifer Lopez. Those of you who are up on your pop culture are probably thinking that was a great answer, but I have to admit it took me a while to connect the dots. My light bulb did eventually illuminate when I remembered that Jennifer Lopez replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on American Idol. Opening the box of chocolates with my fourth grade class almost always makes me smile.

It also serves to remind me that even though my ship hasn’t sailed totally over the horizon yet, the gap between me and my fourth graders is getting wider. The things that shaped my experience growing up are different than the things shaping our kids today. In the midst of all this change it is comforting to realize that one thing will never change. God’s love is the same yesterday, as it is today, and will be tomorrow.