A few weeks ago, one of Micah’s friends was having an outdoor birthday party. The forecast predicted rain for that day, which would have really put a damper on the party. So Micah and I prayed that it would not rain so that our friends would not be stressed or sad.
As we were leaving for the party, I looked outside the window and saw dark clouds rolling in. I grabbed an umbrella, just in case. Micah looked at me putting the umbrella in the boot and asked, “Mommy, did we pray for no rain?”
I paused, trying to think of an answer that didn’t include a theological exposition on prayer, God’s will, or faith and works. Finally, I just said, “Yes, we did.” But the inquisition continued. “Are you taking an umbrella, mommy?”
“Yes.”
“For the rain?”
“Well, just in case.”
“Just in case?”
“We prayed that it wouldn’t rain. But God might have other plans. So if it does rain, then we have the umbrella. Prayer is not about getting God to do everything we want, but about us talking to God like a friend. That means God as our friend does things for us, but sometimes we as His friends have to change what we want. So if He needs it to rain, we have an umbrella. But if He doesn’t need it to rain, then He will say yes to our prayer and it won’t rain.”
Micah had stopped listening by this point and was looking at diggers on the side of the road.
But I had learned my lesson. When we arrived at the park, I took out the pram, the nappy bag, the glider, the present, the two boys … but I left the umbrella in the boot.
Although it was overcast, there was not a single drop of rain until the party was over and we were home.
Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms,placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Having the faith of a child is not about being naive or simple. It’s about embracing the full possibility of what God promises – and experiencing the blessing of His presence.
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
