I am probably the world’s worst arguer. {Is that even a word?} My point is that I stink at arguing, debating and the like. In my attempts to defend my opinions or beliefs, I use stellar comebacks such as “just because” and “that’s just what I think.” My husband finds it humorous that my undergraduate degree is in criminal justice and I had dreams of being an attorney. I don’t see the problem. Clearly, I would have had huge influence on the jury when I declared someone innocent on the grounds of “because I said so.”

Because I know this about myself, I get very nervous sharing my faith. This is true even with, if not especially with, my children. Is that an odd confession for a pastor’s wife? I get nervous when they get inquisitive because they can come up with some really deep questions. I don’t have all of the answers. And, even the knowledge I do have, I struggle to verbalize. Hence, my love of the written word. In this format, I can think and process and re-word and clarify. Face to face, however, I worry that I won’t say the right things or be able to respond adequately to the latest Christian controversy. {Mercy, isn’t there always a latest Christian controversy?} Did dinosaurs and people coexist? Why did God make such-and-such or so-and-so? {Seriously though, why did he make mosquitoes?} Can women preach? How many days did creation really take? Why doesn’t A&E like the dad on Duck Dynasty anymore? On and on and on. It can be exhausting really. Maybe that is why I find such relief in this verse.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15

Now, don’t get me wrong. Knowledge is valuable. We should be constantly striving to learn and understand more of God and his Word. Scripture instructs us to seek wisdom and pursue it. I am not advocating ignorance. What I am saying, however, is that we do not have to have every answer in order to share our faith. We do not have to know the exact date and time of Christ’s birth or when, to the minute, he was put in the tomb. Those are fascinating things to study and figure out. But, when you are face to face with someone who is beaten down by life and struggling to put one foot in front of the other, you need to be able to tell them where your hope comes from. When your child comes to you with questions and concerns and confusion – that is what they need to hear. That is what we are told to always be prepared to defend – the reason for our hope.

That is not scientific data.

It’s not about historical facts and numbers.

It’s about our personal story with Christ. It’s about those things that we know that we know that we know. It’s about hope. Because in this fallen, sin-stained world – that’s what people need. It’s what our children need.

My challenge to you, sweet moms, is this – always be prepared to explain to your children the reason for the hope that is in you. Everything else, if you don’t know the answer, y’all can study and discover it together.

You are loved.

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