Those little ones … so often asking, “Why?”  Curiosity is a wonderful thing.  Should we not have such, we learn so little.  But because we do have curiosity, we are guided into so much that we might never have known.  Learning is powerful.  It can be for our good or our not-so-good.  I like to believe that the curious winds us through mazes to a better place most of the time.  Those answers to that question of “Why?” can be a big nothing, a “Not now” answer, or an answer that will reve up the curious even further.  If we are guided, we can learn so much.  As we grow older, that little one who asks “Why?” to every sentence uttered, can end up being encouraged by a parent or a teacher or a mentor to search for answers, to spend time in books and libraries, to try something hands-on.  Oh, the power of learning.

God teaches us as we grow in Him.  He wants us to be curious and delve into His Word and His world.  He wants us to come to Him.  He wants us to ask, “Why?”  He wants us to grow closer to HIm by knowing HIm, by asking questions, buy asking, “Why?”

Job asked “Why?” so many times.  He suffered so and was intensely discouraged in life.  His mind and heart sought answers.

“Why did I not die at birth?
Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?  Job 3:11

The Psalmist asks God such an important question as he feels God’s Presence is not near to him.  He needs Him and wants to known where He is.

“Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?
Why do You hide in times of trouble?”  Psalm 10:1

David asked God “Why?” many times as well.  Psalm 22 begins with a “Why?” that Jesus asked as He hung on the Cross.

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?  Psalm 22:1

Jeremiah asks “Why?” in the Book of Lamentations to His God… his God Who made him a prophet.  So much happened to the Israelites.  Seeing through to a good ending was hard and maybe impossible.

“Why do You forget us forever,
And forsake us for so long a time?”  Lamentations 5:20

Have You ever asked “Why?” for any or all of these types of reasons?

Oh, yes, I have too.  During the years that my mother suffered physically or went through changes in her mental abilities, when I needed four surgeries in two years, yes, I asked, “Why?”  I also ask God about circumstances that I have no control over, but I know He does.  I ask about special people in my life who suffer so very much.  I ask Him about the world and about people, old and young, that I don’t even know…why they have to suffer as they do.

The disciples asked Jesus “Why?”  Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”  Matthew 17:19

Jesus asks his disciples and us this same question:  “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”  Matthew 6:28-29

Paul asks his listeners “Why?”

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.  Romans 8:24-25

LORD, WHY? is such a wonderful question.  May I not be afraid to ask even though answers may not come.  I pray that I not be fearful of asking if  I would be afraid of the answer.  Those little children ask, “Why?’ to most every statement an adult makes.  They don’t always get an answer that pleases them for they keep asking.  May I be as those children and ask.  I want to know “Why? because I want to know You.  I want to know You for You are my God and You made me curious.  You made me and I was a child once.  I am sure I asked, “Why?” many times to my parents and teachers.   As an older woman, I want to still ask “Why?,” LORD.  I want the curiosity to always be there to discover more of You.  I am grateful for the life that You live in me.  May I always be as those little children.  In the Name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen. 

“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”  Matthew 18:4-5

“Why?” photo: http://robrtpela.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/why-graphic1/jpg