Wednesday night Bible study was supposed to be uneventful—read the Word, sip coffee, share prayer requests, and head home with our halos only slightly crooked.

But God has a way of sending curveballs in the shape of nine-year-old boys.

He came striding toward me—small frame, serious face, hand outstretched like he’d just been elected chairman of the board. His handshake was firm, his nod official.

“When will the homeschool co-op begin again?” he asked.

I told him the dates and bragged on him a little. “You must be an exceptional homeschool student.”

Without breaking stride, he turned to go and tossed back—

“Yeah… but I made my mom cuss once.”

Mom froze. Dad fought back a smirk. And me? I laughed—deep, belly-shaking, breathtaking laughter.

Because truth be told, most every weary, frustrated homeschool mom has thought the words… and some have let them slip.

I’ve missed this—these moments when truth barrels out of a kid like a squirrel through an open door. No agenda. No performance. Just pure honesty.

That boy wasn’t trying to be funny. He was just reporting facts. Somewhere between asking about education and walking away, he decided the pastor should know about his moral track record.

And honestly? That’s church.

Not the polished Sunday morning version, but the real Wednesday night kind—where truth slips out, grace covers it, and everybody leaves lighter than they came.

As Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3

And maybe that’s why Proverbs tells us, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22

Because sometimes, God sends a nine-year-old truth-teller to preach the best sermon of the week—without even knowing it.