A 5 Year Old's Temptation

Last night as HH puts Entertainer to bed, including good-night kisses and hugs, she asked for a short, yet profoundly interesting small chat with her father.

Entertainer: Dad?

HH: Yes?

Entertainer: Ya know, sometimes (she points down to the floor) the snake tells me to go into Mom's purse and use her chapstick.

HH: Really?
Entertainer: Yes, and I know it's wrong. Why does he tell me to do it?
HH: Well, he wants to make Jesus sad....and disobeying Mom would make Jesus sad.
Entertainer: Oh. I better not listen to him.
HH: Right. Good girl.

I have often wondered at the sensitivity of children who have even a small understanding of good and evil in the world. Does little Entertainer truly hear the voice of evil tempting her to do wrong things? I don't know. What is clearly evident to me, is that she recognizes temptation. Not only does she see temptation, she wonders at its purpose, and makes a concrete decision to discern the source of the prompting and it's motive.

Where does it come from, what could be the effects of such an act, who would be happy, who would be sad, and answering these questions, helps her in her decision making. If only we all did the same.

She's only five. As she readies for Kindergarten in a few short weeks, and I contemplate yet another child off to school, I always question: Is this one ready?

Last night, that conversation told me a lot about her. At only five, she can detect good from evil, in basic ways and discern what might happen after acting on temptation. This little chat with HH has given me a sense of peace about her attending school and braving outside elements that she will encounter.

God love her. She is a sensitive soul, wearing her heart on her sleeve, ready to love, live and fight for what's right. Gotta admire that.

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