And stuff...

The blankets are tucked up around her. Her mismatched jammies cozied under the striped comforter. Her hair still damp from the shower sprawls over her pillow. Surrounded by her stuffed animal friends and clutching her special blankie and puppy. Hands come out from hiding to fold on her chest. Long eyelashes close over those brown eyes and all I see are the sprinkling of freckles on her button nose.

"Dear God. Thanks that I can have a good day and that Jackson can have a good day at school and that I could play with my friends and have piano and do good at dance and so could my friends ...and stuff. Thank you that Daddy can be safe at work so that he can work to make money so we have food to eat and clothes... and stuff.. and for the people of Haiti that we can give money to them then too. And while he travels for business or fun... and stuff. Thank you that Mommy can take care of us and do a good job and that she is safe when she travels and goes places. And that other people can be safe when they travel like for business trips and fun trips ...and stuff.  And for the people of Haiti that they can be safe and we can give them homes and food and clothes and stuff to live... and stuff. Be with J and O that they won't be missing their mom and dad too much and keep them safe... and stuff. Thanks that we can go to your House to worship you, thanks for schools where we can learn about you ... and stuff. And for saving us from when we do bad... and stuff. "

She packs a lot into '...and stuff.'

There is a lot of weight in those words. She knows His hands are in the "stuff." Named or unnamed. He's got it. She gave it to Him and just like that will drift into her peaceful sleep. Knowing He's got all the stuff in His hands.

She teaches me a lot in those moments... And stuff.

Dear God...

The family of 5 sat around the table. Finished eating Mom asked for a volunteer to pray. The young man volunteers "I will! Dear God, Please make sure I get all kinds of Vikings stuff and that new Vikings jersey that I wanted. Amen"  
Dad and Mom give each other "that look" but don't crush his spirits completely. They ask for another volunteer. The youngest daughter is eager to show up her big brother. Certain she's got it right. "Dear God, Thank you SO much for making me SO popular! Thank you for not making me act like a dufus like other kids in my class. I'm so glad I'm popular"
Another look passes between Dad and Mom. They look to their 3rd child hoping that one of them has it right. She looks confident. "Dear God, Thank you so much for everything you have ever given us and please help every single person who has any kind of disease"
Mom and Dad give a heavy sigh and state that there is work to be done.


This was the skit that played out in the front of the chapel on that first day of school morning.
At this chapel we as parents and students are introduced to the school's theme for the year. This year- prayer. Praying how God wants us to, not so that we can get Him to do what we want for us.
Pastor Bob continued on after the family stepped down. Asking what a 10 year old boy might want for a birthday gift. His wish at that age- a watch. (this grew chuckles from today's kids as they couldn't imagine that being the top of their wish list, but I guess I, too, am old enough to remember a watch or alarm clock at the top of my list) He remembers how he would do anything for his parents so that they would get him that watch, saying what he thought would work.

Do we pray to God like this? Say what we think He wants to hear so that He'll give us what we want? I know that while they were speaking to the children, I could recognize this in my own heart. We think we can get God to do what we want.

And the day of the gift comes.... it's not a watch in that box. The size is wrong. The weight is wrong. Disappointment creeps in. Until you open the gift, and its even greater than that watch! So much more than you would have ever expected to even ask for!

God's answers are often disappointing to us at first glance. We think we didn't pray right. Didn't say the right words. Or that He just didn't feel we should have it. Yet when we His answer is fully revealed, we often find that His gift is so much more than we deserved. More than we could have hoped. We never could come up with this on our own. Only God could have answered in this way.

I can't tell you how excited I am this year to learn with my children about prayer. I feel that I fall short in this department in my walk. I feel my prayers come across as whining lists or a rush before the next thing. I hope to be able to share more with you. ( for those who were at the chapel, sorry for not giving you anything new. )

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

He said to them, "When you pray, say:

" 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation. "  Luke 11:1-4

What I hate most

Awhile back Emily Ann Benedict, a wonderfully talented author, tagged me in a post. The post was I like, I love, I hate. If you are tagged, you are invited to post your version of the list.  Basically its a fun way for all of us to get to know each other a little more.

I have taken some time, lots of time actually, and come up with my answers.

I LOVE knowing I am saved by grace alone!
I LOVE listening to the crazy things my kids come up with on a daily basis!
I LOVE when my hubby smiles and shows his crazy awesome dimples!

I like blogging and meeting all kinds of amazing people
I like being a stay at home mom who works one or two days a week - I clearly don't like to be put in a box
I like working outside on a Saturday with my family. but would prefer to go shopping.

I hate people who are mean to others
I hate my view of myself
I HATE cancer!

The last one is what was behind me finally getting this post done.
I am a fixer and a doer by nature. I cannot fix cancer. I cannot undo what is being done to my aunts body. I know that God can. And I know that if it is not God's plan for her to dwell on earth with her family, that He will provide grace for her and her family in the next few weeks.

Tonight I ask you for prayer. I cry out to God in the name of my Aunt Joyce. She has fought the good fight, she is nearing the finish, she is keeping the faith.
Will you pray for her journey? Comfort for her family? Peace for all?  Peace for my 93 year old grandma who is in the hospital with suspected stomach ulcers? She is 93 and nothing she can do to save her daughter while she sits with good health, do we need to wonder why she has ulcers? You met her here, pray for her now too. Thank you in advance for praying

Okay, I need to tag some people as a fomality now so that this whole get to know one another thing better can continue, so, I am tagging some gals that I have "met" recently and know little about. On with the show!

Gabby @ Sweetest Pea
Jennifer@ StudioJRU
Cherie@ Journal of Faith

Pop on over and meet these great gals, and thank you again, for praying!


"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.  Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy." Daniel 9:17-18