Philosophy Hour

There’s a certain time when kids become philosophers. You know it the moment it happens. That moment is called bedtime. The special time of day when activity winds down and young minds take off. All the deep and urgent questions have been stored up all day for such a time as this. When parents are low on energy, out of answers, and searching for the patience that must have run out long ago with their morning coffee. When the clock strikes bedtime o’clock, our little people turn into big thinkers, curious creatures, and sudden hygiene-conscious individuals.

One certain little inquisitive outward-thinker of mine has turned this occasion into an art form. Even if I tried to guess what topic would greet me after prayers and goodnight snuggles, I wouldn’t be able to. 

“I’ve been meaning to ask you if we are related to Noah since everyone else drowned in the flood. And if so, how does that work since they were all one family? Which reminds me, did you know the Spinosaurus is my new favorite dinosaur? Do you want to know why?”

“Can you trim my toenails? Clean my ears? Check me for ticks?”

“I have this great joke I HAVE to tell you. Give me a minute, it’ll come to me.”

“Can you look at this bug bite on my…?”

“You’ve got to see my new move. It’s how I’m going to get in bed from now on. Just wait here, it starts down the hall.”

“I’ve been wondering if the animals in the Garden of Eden might have talked. Because, if you think about it, Eve didn’t seem really surprised when the snake started talking to her.”

“My stomach hurts. I can’t tell why. But it might want food. Maybe we should try that.”

“I need to tell you something. And I’m probably going to be in trouble.”

“I can’t move. I accidentally ate a ‘flubberberry’ and am now paralyzed. I need you to move my head to my pillow and wrap my arms around you for a hug.”

“I’ve been thinking about why you need to let me get a pet snake. By the way, my favorite snake is the Indonesian Autumn Adder.”

“Oh, did I tell you I have a word test tomorrow?”

“Did you know Mark Rober holds a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest Hot Wheels track?”

“Can you please hang curtains on my window right now? The moon keeps coming through the blinds and waking me up every night.”

Most of the time anti-itch ointment is needed in one form or another. No matter the topic. Sometimes a complimentary airline eye mask with plans of hitting up the Walmart curtain aisle the following day does the trick. Many times a few listening moments and a plea to continue the thoughts at breakfast tomorrow morning bring enough satisfaction for sleep.

Then there are those moments when time stands still and you realize why bedtime routines and nighttime conversations are so important.

“Mama, can you ask Daddy to come back in? I want to talk to you guys about giving my heart to Jesus.”

And deep down I know that all too soon my twilight hours will probably consist of only occasional questions from my nighttime thinkers. Questions like, “Can I stay out later tonight?” Or over-the-phone queries like, “Is it okay if I bring so-and-so to Thanksgiving?” 

So, for now, I will continue to put on my nightly thinking cap and pull out the itch creams.

I realize the questions may get tougher and outside my limited knowledge. And the thoughts may grow a bit heavier than reasons for a pet snake.

I guess that’s why bedtime questions and late-night philosophical conversations are for all ages. And thankfully God’s patience doesn’t need coffee.

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