When we look for happiness, peace or strength, we often turn to people, places or practices. Sometimes we find what we are looking for; at other times, doubts and anxieties linger for days.
When we feel overwhelmed, we may find ourselves wondering: Where can I find peace?
A children’s book takes us on a journey through a little girl’s search – one that holds a deeper wisdom for adults too.
A girl named Hope
Where Does God Live? is a children’s book by Holly Bea. It tells the story of a curious little girl named Hope, who has many questions about the world around her.
One day, she finds herself wondering: Where does God live?
She asks her mother, who tells her that God lives in Heaven, high up in the sky.
Heaven! It is the first time Hope has heard this word, and she wants to know more.
A journey of discovery
She thinks of her friend, the little bird who lives in the garden tree. Perhaps she has seen Heaven when flying high in the sky?
The bird tells Hope that she has seen stars and clouds, rainbows and lightning. She hasn’t seen Heaven, but surely God must live in the sky. After all, it is such a beautiful place!
Hope continues on her way until she reaches a stream. She bends down to ask Mr Frog if he knows where God lives.
The frog smiles and points to the butterflies, flowers and trees around him. Surely, this beautiful meadow must be Heaven, and God must live somewhere here!
Just then, a fish leaps out of the stream. He has a different opinion. The world beneath the water, with its crystal-blue waters, is surely where Heaven must be!
Hope listens to them all, but their answers leave her wondering. How can each of them be right?
Where does God live?
She continues towards her grandmother’s house, hoping that her wise old granny will have the answer.
As soon as she meets her, Hope asks, “Where does God live? Does God live in Heaven, or in the stream, or in the meadow? Or is God just a dream?”
Her grandmother understands her confusion. She explains that God is the Creator of everything around us – the flowers, the stars, the trees and all living beings. The Divine is not confined to any one place, but is present throughout creation.
The book expresses this idea beautifully:
“And when God makes a person, a star, or a wave,
A part of God stays with whatever God’s made.
So God lives in the sky, in the meadow and stream –
God lives everywhere, and God isn’t a dream.”
Living the wisdom
Grandma’s response offers a simple way of looking at the Divine. It also brings us to some deeper questions that we, as adults, may have.
1. If God is everywhere, why can’t I see Him?
Grandma reassures Hope that God lives in all that we see and in each one of us. As adults, we too sometimes struggle to live this wisdom. Perhaps the question is not whether God is visible, but whether we are looking.
“God lives in the frogs and the birds and in you.
When you’re looking for God, it’s easy to do.”
Can we practise noticing the beauty and kindness in others? Can we look beyond their imperfections to recognise the goodness that may not be immediately apparent?
2. How can God be in the kind and the not-so-kind?
We meet people who are loving, generous and considerate. We also meet those whose words and actions can hurt us.
Grandma explains that people express the Divine through their acts of love and kindness. At times, when they act in hurtful ways, they may have forgotten the goodness that lives within them.
This wisdom can help us through moments when goodness is forgotten, in ourselves or others. It reminds us that goodness is never truly absent; sometimes, we have simply lost touch with it.
3. Why does God let me down?
Life does not always unfold as we wish. We may wonder why our prayers aren’t answered or why we have to go through difficult experiences.
Grandma offers Hope a comforting thought:
“God is gentle and loving and cares for us all.
God gives us the strength to get up when we fall.
God is always around to help us find truth,
Whether we’re old or still in our youth.”
While outcomes may not always meet our expectations, we are never without the strength to meet what comes our way. Sometimes, an experience we initially see as a setback can also become an opportunity to discover our inner strength and understand what truly matters.
4. How will my prayers be heard?
Grandma reminds Hope that God is her best friend, who cares for her and is always there to help. When Hope wonders what she should say to God, Grandma suggests that she speak from the heart, just as she would with a dear friend.
As the book beautifully puts it:
“Just speak from your heart, Hope. It’s easy to do.
Tell God your wishes, your fears, and your dreams,
Ask God to guide you in all that you do,
And be thankful for all of the love God sends you.”
You can explore the original children’s book here: Where Does God Live? by Holly Bea, illustrated by Kim Howard.
Reflection
What helps you feel connected to the Divine in everyday life?
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