Billy Graham has offered some advice to parents unsure of how to talk to their children about God, explaining that even the smallest children understand what it means to love and trust in something bigger than themselves.
The 98-year-old evangelist shared his thoughts in response to a question posed by a reader, who asked if children can truly understand anything about God.
"Just because a child can't understand everything about God, doesn't mean he or she can't understand something," Graham contended, referencing Jesus' words in Mark 10:14: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Even the smallest child possess an understanding of what love and trust is, Graham said, and there is no one who loves His children more - or is more trustworthy - than God.
"In addition, small children know their parents love to hear them try to talk - and who loves to hear us talk to Him more than God?" Graham continued. "No wonder the Bible says that God is our Heavenly Father."
The evangelist advised parents to be grateful when their child asks them about God, and encouraged them to answer such questions simply, but truthfully.
"Often we want deep and profound answers to our questions - but children simply want to know that God is greater than we are, and even if we can't see Him, He made us and He loves us," he explained. "He proved His love for us by sending Jesus into the world so we could go to Heaven when we die."
Graham, who currently lives in Montreat, North Carolina, recently made the Gallup Poll's list of the 10 men most admired by Americans - for a record 60th year.
According to the Charlotte Observer, Graham first appeared on the list in 1955, and has made into the top 10 every year since, with the exception of the 1962 survey and in 1976, when the question was not asked. His closest competitor for number of times on the list is former President Ronald Reagan, who died in 2004 and made the list 31 times.
In July, Graham's son, evangelist Franklin Graham, gave Christians an update on the health of his beloved father: "One of the things he enjoys is sitting on the front porch and looking out over the mountains on days when the weather is good and he feels up to it," Franklin shared. "He watches news with the help of a large-screen TV."
"His ministry now is praying," Franklin added, "and he looks forward to reports of what God is doing around the world."
