Prayers

After the tadpole incident Friday all went well. Everyone was happy for the slower day. Lunch came and since the "boys" (#3 and C) headed with G-ma to get hay it was a minor amount less busy. They returned when I had completed their lunch and sat down to eat. While I had a moment of downtime I stood at the sink, basically facing the kids sitting at the bar. No surprise the big 3 (#1, #2 and K) were chatting. In the winding web of topics they covered were thoughts of moms and dads and kids.
#2 overheard me telling my SLM ladies about a person I know whose original babysitter was being abused by her husband. Though her child was not affected it had changed how she looked at finding a babysitter. #2 brought this up, which led me to interject the fact that some people even moms and dads are not nice to their kids. Intrigued they waited for more. I explained as best as possible sparring the gruesome details of what an adult is aware but a child need not be. They were taken aback. Since lunch was pretty much over at this point #2 suggested they pray for those kids. Right there they each moved to the couch, sat side by side and held each others hands. #2 began her prayer first, all with eyes closed and fervently she spoke. #1 chimed in where she stopped to add a few more words and the infamous Amen. A moment into the prayer I noticed C watching my reaction so I bowed my head and prayed right along with their sweet hearts. It was probably a good thing I did, as the entire moment brought tears to my eyes.
It is amazing as I change my focus on learning to pray more and truly have a real relationship with God it effects my kids. I have always known God. I was the kid who answered the altar call every chance I got. They would ask me to explain things to the other children who were there for the first time. Even in those younger days I was teaching.
I was unafraid to share God's love with the world. That is until I hit middle school and the reality of peers and the world smacked me right in the face. I suppose we all have that time in our life right? I wish I could say it ended there but I have yet to meet a Christian that doesn't have a story to tell when they strayed and made their way back home.
These kind of thoughts make me reflect on the years I know my mother interceded for me. I pray with each child at night. Most nights they have nothing to add, but every so often. I haven't been as ritualistic with Eva or Michael as I used to be. The times I would read a book and rock before bed usually ended in prayer time. I have no 1 certain thing I say. I speak what I feel led. I have seen #2 willingly do the same. #1 has always respected God. He is the kid who called Hell ing because it was so bad of a place he couldn't say the name. Now he is more cautious with his prayers. He has hit the realm where peers and the outward appearance make a difference. He is my tender heart for God still. In church its there, at home it is harder to clear the worldly distractions.
#3 has asked Jesus into his heart but that is as far as he has gotten. #4 well she can join any one's prayer, any one's dance, any one's anything. She is a force to be reckoned with. She speaks fluently, her current coined phrase You wanna see me. Tadpole and earthquake are among the newest additions of words. She also says I love you Jesus and will give his picture a big kiss. I think I will work on Amen next. After all it means I agree. That little ball of fire needs to know how to agree :)