Elisa’s Prayer

Elisa woke up early excited for the day’s events. Yesterday Mother promised to take her to the park and her mom always sticks to her promises. She hopped out of bed bouncing down the stairs.
“Good morning Mother.”
“Good morning Elisa, are you ready to go to the park today?” Mother asked.
“You bet, as soon as I finish my breakfast. What is for breakfast today?”
“Anything you would like.”
“In that case I want jelly toast. Quick and simple to get is out the door and on the way to the park.” 

Mother agreed and made her some toast with strawberry jelly smeared on top. Elisa scarfed down the food and rushed her mother out the door. She was bouncing in her seat as they arrived at the park. Elisa waited patiently for her mother, knowing she isn’t allowed to exit the car without her. After what seemed like an eternity, they left the vehicle. With a look of approval from her mother she sprints off to the giant fort style jungle gym, the biggest structure at the playground.

Elisa climbed high, feeling like she could almost touch the sky. She slid down the slides and hung on the money bars, she swung on the swings and climbed up the rock wall. On the last trip down the slide she saw a girl close to her age sitting all alone. She decided to ask the girl if she wanted to play.
“Hi, my name is Elisa. Would you like to play.”
“I really don’t feel like playing right now, my pet kitten is lost, we haven’t seen her in days.”
“Oh no, that’s awful. I am so sorry you can’t find your kitten. I know! We can pray for her safe return.”
“Pray, what does that mean?”
“It means we ask God to help us.”
“God? Who is God?”
“God is the one who made us and everything, even the world.”
“I have never heard about God.”
“Here let me show you.”
Elisa grabbed the girls hands and placed them together, with her hands on top.
“Close your eyes and open your heart.”
The girl nods in agreeance.
“Our heavenly Father, if it is your will I pray that her little kitty cat will come home safe and sound. Thank you Father, I love you and amen.”
“Do you really think it will work?” She asked with eyes full of hope.
Johnny walked by overhearing the girl’s prayers.
“God doesn’t care about your cat. He has more important things to worry about.” He said, nevermind the fact that he had never asked God for anything.
“That’s not true Johnny, God loves and cares for all the creatures, they are all God’s creation.”
Johnny scoffed at her silly notion.
With new hope that her beloved pet would return, Sarah decided to play. Before long the kitten was an afterthought and it was time for the children to return home. The girls said their goodbyes with plans to return the next day.
Sarah returnes home tired and ready for a hot meal. She drug herself out of the car and up the porch steps, her legs tired and weak. To her surprise a furry little face stood on the top step eager to greet her.
“Meow!”

Joy filled Sarah’s heart as she hugged the little kitten tight. “Thank you God. Thank you for caring about my baby kitten.”
Sarah went to bed that night praising God for the answered prayer.
The next morning she leped out of bed and scurried outside, confident her beloved pet would be there. Sure enough Misty the kitten sat at the door awaiting her breakfast. Sarah scooped her up again and thanked God once more for her little miracle. She ran inside to tell her mother about the divine intervention and how excited she was to tell Elisa today. Her mother admired her faith, something she could use some strengthening in.

At the playground Sarah joyfully tells Elisa about her answered prayer.
“You were right! God brought her back home safe and sound. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I returned home.”
“See I told you! I knew she would be there, I just KNEW it!”
Little Johnny overheard all the excitement but decided not to interject this time. That was all he needed, a couple of girls pointing out how he was wrong. Instead he ignored them and played alone.

A few weeks later and little Johnny is picked up from school early. His mother told him that his father was in a bad car accident. They went to the hospital to see him but Johnny was scared. His mother seemed really worried and was crying, his mother never cries unless something really bad happens. Like when his grandma passed away, she cried a lot thay time. In that moment a stark reality shook him to the core. Could his father be dieing? Was this morning the last time he would ever speak to him? Johnny started crying also, unsure of what to do he recalled Sarah’s lost kitten and Elisa’s prayer. If God was willing to help a lost kitten, maybe God would help his daddy too.
In the hospital waiting room he dropped to his knees and prayed like he had never before. He hoped his prayer would be just half as good as Elisa’s.
“God I’m sorry for saying you didn’t care. I’m sorry for laughing at Sara and Elise. God my daddy is really hurt right now and he needs you. Can you please give him and miracle like you have Sarah’s kitten. I know you care about God, and Mommy and me really need Daddy here with us. Please God heal him and let him stay with us. Amen.”
While little Johnny was busy praying his mother took notice. Her heart filled with pride and shame, for prayer never crossed her mind as it should have. Yet her son, who was never taught God, was praying for his father no doubt. It has been a long time since she called upon God and that was something that was going to change. Not just today but everyday.
She joined her son on the floor and prayed harder than she had ever before. Johnny was amazed when he finished praying and his mother was next to him, still deep in her own prayer. Once she finished she lifted her tear stained eyes and hugged her son tightly. Just then a doctor approaches them.
“Are you Mrs.Huxley”
Johnny’s mother nods her head yes. She rose from the floor meeting the doctor.
“Your husband almost didn’t make it. He is in stable condition as of now. His injuries are serious but it seems as though he will pull through. You will be able to see him shortly although he is heavily sedated at the moment and may not be responsive.”
The doctor walked away and Johnny’s mother hit her knees once more.
“They both prayed, thank you Father for this miracle. I will never forget what you have done for us.”
Johnny thought back to Sarah and Elisa. If he would have never overheard Elisa’s prayer he might not have ever known of the God who cares about all of His creations. He might now have ever prayed the prayer that he believed saved his Father’s life and brought his mother before God. Johnny couldn’t wait to tell Sarah and Elisa about his miracle and how God answered his prayer.

I was inspired to write this story by my oldest daughter. We were at a small local eatery waiting on our order. She noticed a painting of Jesus hanging on the wall and asked to move a chair beneath it so she could “set with God” while we waited. At first I was going to object but the wholesomeness made me oblige.   What was the harm in moving a chair anyways? I would put it back once she was finished. After a few minutes she hopped up and began playing with the toys provided by the restaurant. She decided to bring the fun to her older brother, so she ran to him with a toy in hand. As they were playing together a man walked through the door, I got the vibes that he was out of town. I took note of his hat that said Jesus’s name as well as the hefty Bible he carried with him. When he spoke to the restaurant owner, he solidified my perception. His accent was definitely not from my town and most likely not even my country. The man sat his stuff down on a nearby table, awaiting his food. Next he removed his hat and set it atop his belongings. To my surprise, he approached the chair my daughter had set below Jesus just moments before and used it as a makeshift altar. I looked away not wanting to draw attention during his private moment and happened to catch my daughter’s eye. She never said a word but her smile and eyes said it all. My heart overflowed with emotions. What if he asked God for a place to pray. What if that was exactly what the man needed at that moment and God used my daughter to do it. What if I stopped my daughter from moving the chair? I often forget that my children can and will have a profound effect on people. I forgot that them just being who they are will shine a Godly light into this world. I forgot that tiny voices can make big waves. I am one proud momma of children rooted deeply in God’s grace.