When my son, Nolan was nine years, we were working on him understand that
money does not grow on tree. He was always the one who wants
something
at the store even if it is ten cents.
I started by explaining how hard Daddy works for the money,
and that he should
say, “Thank you.”
Next, I explained the bills.
Understanding more, he would ask me WHEN we
would have money so that he
could buy such and such. His demanding
money
was no longer an issue.
Several months later, I ended up in the hospital with
pneumonia. With no insurance,
we were
faced with close to thirty thousand dollars.
Nolan knew it had been awhile
since he could choose one of the legos he
wanted.
He came downstairs completely dejected that we didn’t have
any money.
He said, “Well, mom, I guess I’m just going to have to pray
for a miracle, ‘cause that
is all that can happen.”
I told him that was a good idea, but was nervous that his
faith would be affected when
it didn’t happen.
How was a nine year old little boy going to earn and receive money.
His birthday was seven months away. Christmas was still four months away. I just
didn’t see how.
One hour later, my neighbor stopped by and asked if Nolan
could baby sit their bird
and dog. She
also stated she would pay him. I started
bawling, and my neighbor
asked what was wrong.
“He was praying for a miracle, and you are his miracle.”
As I explained, my neighbor’s heart was touched as
well.
In Mark 10:15-16 we are told: I tell
you the truth, 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, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Jesus understood how children think. They have absolute faith. Their faith is not
yet tarnished by people,
circumstances, and things. In order for
us to have the
same faith of a child, we have to put aside our disappointment
and our unbelief.
Hebrews 11:1 says: Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence
of things not seen.
Somehow between childhood and adulthood, we have to see in
order to believe
that it is going to happen.
Think about Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter
Rabbit. Kids believe
even though they’ve
never seen them. After they believe,
they see the results.
I’m always sad
when my kids find out Santa isn’t real.
It is the beginning of them
losing their child-like faith.
My kids believe that God is a god of miracles, and I pray
that they never lose that.
When I called Nolan downstairs and told him that his miracle
had just been
answered. He wasn’t in awe
like I was.
He was just matter of fact as if to say, “Yep! That is the God I serve.”
Oh, to have the faith of a child. It’s no wonder God answers the little one’s
prayers.
