January 1998, a show hosted by Bill Cosby premiered “Kids Say The Darndest Things.” The basis of the show is that the host would ask a question to a young child who would usually respond in a “cute” way. Out of the mouth babes you’re gonna get the real truth.

Last night started off like any other Wednesday night Bible study. I come to church sit down follow along in my book, if one of my dumplings (that’s what I call my babies that sit with me in church) comes I set them up to play games on my iPad. About 15 minutes into Bible study, I hear the older kids in the back making noise. I got up, told them to quiet down, and went back into church. This is normal. I get back in church and I hear them again. I don’t go tell them to hush because I was once a kid at Bible study, and sometimes someone will tell a joke and make everyone laugh. This is what I tell myself to justify why I didn’t tell them to quiet down.

Bible study continues and they venture off into a topic too sensitive for my 5 year old dumpling to sit in. So I was taking her to the back with the other kids and they asked me to stay. Of course I will stay. I’m gonna use this time to check in with the kids, see how their summer is going.

In this 45 minutes I quickly learn that I was not cut out to be a teacher. Hats off to all the teachers. We have some kids that are new to our church so I also used this time to encourage them to get to know each other. The kids are asking each other questions, how old are you, what grade are you going to, what are you doing this summer. It’s the cutest thing. Since we’re at church I turn the questioning a little bit “What is something you want to do at church?”  The genuine answers they gave was heartwarming. Then I got an answer that was quite different. After she said it the first thing that came to mind was kids say the darndest things. Then it got real interesting. One asked could they all ask me a question. I was hesitant but said sure. The questions were so simple but things I never even noticed they paid attention to. One of the kids recently started wearing glasses so he asked what age did I start wearing glasses. Another asked when did I start working at the hospital. I didn’t even know she knew I worked at the hospital.

After I was tired of the hot seat, and the kids became restless, we went outside to play a little. I thought about my encounter with the kids that night and this thought immediately came to mind; you never know who is watching you and who is listening to you. Some questions you could tell the motive behind it based on conversations they’ve heard, and other questions that were in this child’s mind about someone they looked up to but never had the opportunity to ask.

I challenge you to slow down, and spend quality time with children. When you think you’re helping them, they are really helping you.

And when you spend time with them, I guarantee, this thought will cross your mind. Kids Say The Darndest Things!