Kate’s always looking for a way to stall the going to bed process. The other night she invented a new step – wishing on a star (thanks Disney Channel for having the exact same storyline on both Hannah Montana and Cory in the House). However, the night she decided to try it, she couldn’t find any stars in the sky.
Having just heard her say one of the cutest prayers yet, I suggested she pray for whatever she was planning to wish for. This was not a well thought out plan!
“Dear God, I would like an American Doll. Thank you. Amen.”
Then she turned to me and said “Mommy, do you think He’s going to get me one?” Ummm…. how on Earth was I supposed to react to that?? I stammered around for a few seconds and then said “Well, I don’t know… maybe you should talk to Mommy and Daddy about getting an Americal Girl doll for your birthday.”
So then the next morning, she climbed in our bed to snuggle, and the first thing she said was “Do you think I’m going to get my prayer present?” Prayer present? Who knew it had a name?? Andy shot me a very confused look and I once again suggested the birthday present idea, which appeased her somewhat.
I’m sure it makes sense to her… I mean, she asked Santa for a Leapster and a Baby Alive and *poof* those things appeared. But what’s the best way to explain to her that that’s not how God works? And, if I do, doesn’t that give Santa a huge step up on the cool-o-meter?
I didn’t have the answers. I am certainly no theologian, so I asked my sister, who is, how she would have dealt with the situation.
“I have no idea” was her helpful response.
Luckily, Kate hasn’t brought up her “prayer present” again, but this kid has a serious memory, so I’m sure she’ll break it out when I least expect it, so I welcome any thoughts or comments on how to make this make sense to her.
Until then, I just hope I don’t catch her looking up the chimney expecting to see Jesus.
What we did was we told the kids that God answers ALL prayers…..every single one of them…..
but that sometimes the answer is “no.”
And while it may seem like he didn’t answer the prayer, he did, just not the way we hoped. But God knows what is best for us, and if he didn’t think xyz was the best thing for us right now, he’d say “no.”
I have a very funny story about that……I’ll have to blog it. 🙂
Head’s up……awards for the both of you on my blog. 🙂
I remember when I was about 5 I asked my mom that if Santa knew whether everyone had been good or bad, does that mean he was like God? And she answered, “oh, no no no, Santa is nothing like God. God is so much better than Santa.” And that really stuck in my head. By the time I was 7, I had it all straightened out, so I’m sure Kate will get it eventually. But I’m sure I would be wondering the same thing!