Why are there prickles, anyway?
by Tas Walker
Ready for a great day out with our grandchildren we arrived at the picnic area,
and the lawns looked inviting among the shade of the trees, set alongside the still
waters of the lake. We divided up the gear among the children and set out across
the grass for the tables near the shore.
As soon as each child stepped off the roadway onto the grass they discovered a nasty
surprise. The ground was infested with prickles and the sharp burrs found a ready
home in their bare, tender feet.
Some of the children were trying to balance on one foot without moving, while twisting
the sole of their other foot upwards so they could remove the offending prickles.
Others were staggering, trying to find a place free of the sharp burrs so they could
discover what was causing the pain.
If they put a hand on the grass there was a good chance it would be filled with
prickles. If they sat on the grass it could be even more problematical. Those little
burrs certainly changed our impression of that picnic spot.
After we reached the paved area free of trouble we cooked our lunch and had a good
time, but we had to be careful where we walked.
One of the young boys, obviously frustrated by the inconvenience, asked, ‘Nan,
why are there prickles, anyway?’
Prickles are part of the curse, and they remind us about the consequences of sin.
‘Well, there weren’t prickles at the beginning when God first made the
world,’ Nan replied. It was only after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and did
their own thing that God placed a curse on the earth. Prickles are part of the curse,
and they remind us about the consequences of sin. But one day God will make a new
earth where that curse will be removed. Then there will be no more prickles.’
(Genesis 3: 17–19, Revelation 22:3)
The lad was interested in the discussion, and they talked for a while about the
experience.
After lunch, on the way back to the car, some of the children again encountered
problems. This time, one of the younger children asked her brother in frustration,
‘Why are there prickles, anyway?’
Nan overheard the question and was delighted to hear the boy tell his sister the
answer he had just learned. ‘It’s because of the curse that is on the
earth as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin.’
The Bible instructs parents to teach their children about God so that they will
love and obey him. ‘These commandments that I give you today are to be upon
your hearts. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.’ (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
When we understand the biblical worldview and how it connects with life, it is easy
to talk about the things of God with our children. The Bible is relevant to every
aspect of our experience and provides answers to questions that are current.
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Published: 13 August 2008(GMT+10)
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