The Power of Prayer

This isn't a humorous update. I love those; don't get me wrong. Some of my favorite blogs are written by moms who have 3 or 4 kids; the stuff that happens in their families keeps me laughing and in awe at the same time. God knows that I can barely get Adam out the door for school with all that he needs; how these women juggle several kids and everything else in their lives leaves me muttering "not worthy"... even as I keep clicking and laughing.


But this update is simply a praise, to a God who loves us so much that He LISTENS to us. I love my son, but I don't always LISTEN to him. I love my mom, but I have to confess that after about 20 minutes of a long-distance conversation with her, my mind begins to wander, and I lose track of what she's saying. But God? He hears EVERY word.


My boy is many things; a bug-lover, a nature enthusiast, a practical joker, and afraid of the dark. He can be bold in ways that I wouldn't have thought, and shy in places that I thought he'd rush right in. He has friends, and and a couple of them, when combined with him, create a "baking soda and vinegar" reaction. And, like me, he wants to prove that he knows more about something than anyone else. Oh, how it stings to see the mirror of your own personality in your child's.... and to realize, as you try to correct them, that you are in actuality telling them to "do as I say, not as I do". Ugh.



And so I have to praise God, who loves us even though we are prideful, and spiteful, and just simply ful of ourselves. He always gives us a way out, and that way always leads to Him. Adam has had "issues" of behavior in school since... well.. since mother's morning out. All throughout preschool, he was a "difficult" child. In K5, he went to the principal's office at least 3, and maybe 4 times (I think I've tried to block that time out, so I can't say for sure). At least one time, I had to actually leave my preschool class and go to his school to get him. First grade was better, but not great. Second grade was much better. This year, he has a friend in class who was in his first grade class, and they are the "baking soda and vinegar" type of friends. Several weeks ago, after feeling like we were sliding backwards, I started going into his room about five minutes earlier than normal, and I'm still doing it today. I turn on the lamp, and I lay on his bed, with my arms wrapped around him. And then, I pray, and it's a prayer that goes deep and wide. I start by praising God for all that He is and all that He does. From there, I move to thankfulness, over God's gift of Adam to us, and for all of the wonderful qualities with which God has blessed him. From there, I move on to requests, for God to bless the day, to give my boy an obedient spirit, listening ears, kind words, a heart for God, and so on. I cannot express fully how much of a difference this routine has made in Adam's life, and in our family. Our mornings are now filled with joy, and peace, and laughter. Adam's weekly behavior report has improved dramatically. But the biggest praise of all for me was Saturday. I slept in, and Adam woke up before me. He came into our room (Chuck was out of town), and crawled onto our bed. "Mom... you need to pray that prayer with me" was all he had to say. And I wrapped him in my arms and bathed him in prayer, and at the end I thanked God for a boy who knew the power of prayer. There is nothing sweeter that I can imagine this side of heaven. Thank you, God.