Sunday, January 25, 2009

Little Prince's miracle

Today we woke to brilliant Brazilian sunshine. The kids wore (dress) shorts and sandals to church and still felt the heat. I wore my shortest possible skirt and still sweat. But three hours later, the final hymn closed with a BOOM of a South American monsoon.





Two hundred people stood in the foyer, staring open mouthed at the downpour. Of these 200, maybe 10 have cars. We own two of them.

And the rides began.

Men ran out in shirt and tie, giggling and car keys at the ready. The rest stood waiting for their turn, talking and waxing eloquent on how long the rain would last. Pretty soon the kids were antsy and I was hungry.

Now, our ward boundaries are quite extensive. There are some members who walk almost an hour to get to church on Sunday (and every meeting in between.) We're talkin' a twenty minute drive to some places - one way.

I looked around me. There were pregnant women. Families with double the amount of children I have. Lots with inadequate shoes. And they live far. FAR. While my house is a mere twenty minute walk from the chapel.

So we took off.

I packed Ouro Branco and Mr. Squishy rather sloppily in the stroller - leaving the carseat for My Man to bring home later. I took Little Prince aside and explained to him that other people needed the car much more than we did, so we would take advantage of our blessedly healthy bodies and walk home.

He took one look at the rain and said, "Mom? Let's say a prayer first."

So LP prayed.

"Dear Heavenly Father. Jesus, we need to borrow our car to other people who live very far away. We are going to walk home because we live close. Will you please stop the rain so we won't get wet? You can let it rain when we're home. Thanks. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

And within minutes, the rain stopped.

STOPPED. He didn't seem surprised.

We walked all the way home in blessed sunshine - just a little window in the clouds, shining down on us.

Friends, miracles really do happen. Sometimes it just takes the faith of a child.

20 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I don't think that most miracles are large scale. I think that most of them are small, like in this case.

Jan said...

That is so awesome. The faith of a child calms the rain. Love this whole post.

Heather of the EO said...

I love it. I almost titled my last post, faith like a child and then I come here and read this and I'm just smiling and smiling :)

Debbie said...

We have to have our eyes open to see the miracles. Children are great role models for this.

Christa Jeanne said...

Wow - that's amazing!!! What a prince your Little Prince is. It's wonderful that your children have such strong child-like faith. Thanks for sharing, ThatGirl!!! :)

Annette Lyon said...

I often wonder what happened to that childlike faith as we grew up. Wish I could get it back.

Such a sweet story.

Brooke said...

You made me BAWL! I love the faith of children. I wish I had it.

Stephanie said...

This is awesome. My Grant has stopped the storm many times with his totally believing prayers. In fact, he's only surprised if it DOESN'T stop. What a lesson.

Wonder Woman said...

{tear} I'm glad you wrote this all down.

Lara Neves said...

Oh, that made me cry. You are an awesome mother to have raised such a faithful little prince.

Randi said...

Holy cow! That's amazing!
I would have completely ruined the whole thing by gushing over and over about how that is so amazing. - - when to him it was just exactly what should have happened.

Kathy P said...

I love this!! There really isn't anything to add to what you so beautifully said. I love little miracles!

Kim L. said...

The faith of a child....and one amazing mom who taught him all he knows! I have wanted to comment on the last like 5 posts... "I KNOW how you feel/what you are talking about" even though I was only there for a while. You will remain my hero for sticking it out.

J. Baxter said...

It's always so amazing/scary when kids pray things like that! You want their prayers to be answered so bad that it almost gives you extra faith to believe it will happen. And what a sweetie to think of prayer so fast. He must have a good mommy.

charrette said...

What a sweet, precious story! That calming the storm gives a whole new dimension to the Christlike aspect of children.

Should I be afraid that our youngest just prayed for a little brother?

Katrina said...

That brought tears to my eyes.

Erin said...

How sweet! I loved that story.

The Farmer's Wife said...

Fantastic!

Rocketgirl said...

This entry has made my day more than once already. I feel blessed the day I got to meet you AND the day you decided to try your hand at blogging:)

Harmony said...

Maybe I should have LP pray for the things I need...