03 May 2010

Yes, No, Maybe






We each made our own sacred place to pray--Azure was cold and drew a blanket around herself

We've always taught our children to pray.  I believe strongly that a child needs more resources than their parents and teachers for guidance, regardless of their religious beliefs.  Even Clover knows to bow her head, fold her chubby little arms, and proclaim "AY-MEN!" at the close [or sometimes before] the end of a prayer.  A few weeks ago we were discussing how God always answers our prayers.  Pearl [always Pearl!] perked up and hastily replied that He most certainly did not answer her prayers, specifically the one where she asked to find panther.  It caught me off guard that we had failed to teach our children about what to expect after one prays as we were so focused on the why and how of prayers. 

So, of course, this was lesson time.  We talked about how they ask us questions and we answer those questions in many different ways.  The answer could be yes, no, you need to wait, or any variation on those three.  This applies to prayers.    I so often forget this myself when I want an answer and I want it now, and I want the answer that I desire.  Or I take the time to pray and ask, but then fail to listen to what the answer may be.  I hope that our children will learn this concept better and sooner than I, for it will greatly benefit their spiritual growth.  We told them that what they learn in church, at school, or in our home they can take to God and receive their very own answer.  Everyone likes to know for themselves a surety of truth--and they should.

10 comments:

  1. This was so sweet to me. I love their pictures. IT looks like they've given a lot of thought to prayer.

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  2. What a tender and transparent look into your personal life. I very much enjoyed this post. These lessons you are teaching to your children will no doubt strengthen them as they grow older.

    Blessings to you and yours,
    Sonja

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  3. Thank you for sharing this. Prayer is such an important concept to teach our children, but it is hard for them (and us) to understand that He doesn't always give us the answer that we are looking for. But, indeed, He always does answer. I am so thankful for that.

    The pictures they drew are darling.

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  4. I love this post and agree whole heartedly. I love the idea of making a sacred space in your home for prayer too. Beautiful pictures!

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  5. gorgeous artwork and beautiful truthful answer :)

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  6. I love this idea in particular the engraving. Can you tell me exactly what dremel you have? I was overwhelmed when I saw the webstie - looks like they have a huge variety! Thanks in advance...

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  7. Great post. (Found you on One Pretty Thing). I love Garth Brooks' song Unanswered Prayers especially the refrain that "some of God's greatest gifts are unaswered prayers". Sometimes we forget to teach children that sometimes the answer is no...but more importantly, sometimes God's reasons aren't revealed for a long time. Every home should have a "sacred space". Great idea!

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  8. What good parents you are.

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  9. @ ajanekunz--my dremel is a multipro model 395. You can buy many varieties of bits depending on the project at hand. One of the best investments I've made!

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  10. I particularly love your final point: no matter who teaches/where you learn/what is taught, I love that we can just find the truth for ourselves.

    But it does take practice to discern the answers!

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Be a lamb & tell me what's on your mind.