Love According to Kids

Could you use a few good snickers? Not Snickers bars, but a few laughs? Kids were asked, “Why does love happen between two particular people?” Mae, age 9, said, “No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That’s why perfume and deodorant are so popular.” That reminds me of what I’ve often said, “Love is like deodorant. Put it on every day or life will stink.” “I think you’re supposed to get shot with an arrow or something,” said Manuel, age 8. “But the rest of it isn’t supposed to be so painful.” How do people in love typically behave? “Mooshy. Like puppy dogs,” said Arnold, age 10. “Except puppy dogs don’t wag their tails nearly as much.” Do beauty and handsomeness play a role in love? “Beauty is skin deep,” answered Christine, age 9. “But how rich you are can last a long time.”

Kids were asked for some surefire ways to make a person fall in love with you. Del, age 6, said, “Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores.” Floyd, age 9, said, “Love is foolish … but I still might try it sometime.” Regina, age 10, said, “I’m not rushing into love. I’m finding fourth grade hard enough.” “Love will find you,” said Dave, age 8, “even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me.” That reminds me of when our daughter Rachael was 16 and put a Bible verse on her bedroom door: “Have mercy on me O God, for men hotly pursue me” (Psalm 56:1). I think it was slightly out of context, but I took a picture of it that I have to this day.

Most Wednesday nights, my wife and I attend a Bible study. Last week, we looked at what Jesus talked about the most during his final days on earth. What do you think it was? You’re right. Love. The apostle John records Jesus using the word just six times in his first twelve chapters, but 31 times in the last five. You know, if I was hoping to start a “religious” movement that would change the world, I would spend my last days planning innovative strategies, designing thick manuals, and creating well-moneyed foundations. Not Jesus. What he wanted was a few men and women who would love one another with His love, a radical love that loves even our enemies. This love is how people will know that we are His disciples. It is truly the greatest thing the world has ever known.

Greg, aged 8, agrees. “Love,” he said, “is the most important thing in the world. But baseball is pretty good too.”