You really have to be careful what you tell your kids. Because once in a while they will listen.
When the Princess was three, she started campaigning for a baby brother or sister. Most of the families in our church are pretty big – five kids are not unusual – and here she was, a “lonely only.” So I told her to pray about it. Mr. MG and I had decided to try for another baby, but it took us two and a half years to get one kiddo, so we felt pretty sure that we had a while.
She started praying for a baby brother or sister. And I got a double pink line a week later.
When we decided to sell the old place – the only house she remembered living in – we softened the blow a little by saying that, once we were settled, the Princess could have a kitten. Our cats are indoor only, and we just didn’t have room for a third.
A couple of months after we moved into the new place, she started asking if we were settled enough yet. After putting her off for a while, we told her she’d have to save her allowance for the hefty adoption fee. Again, we figured that would give us a while. I said she should start praying for God to send her the right kitty.
Right around that time, my folks lost one of their cats to a red blood cell disorder. It was a big shock, since he was fairly young and spry.
Two weeks later, I got a phone call. My mom said a co-worker of hers had found two kittens under the modular buildings at the church. They wanted to keep one. Would I like the other?
Welcome to the family, Amy, you feisty thing.
So the Princess got a kitty. And for free. (Guess who got to pay the vet bill for spaying the new feline? Uh huh.)
Anyone who says God is distant and uncaring hasn’t talked to my daughter. He not only cares for the sparrow and the lilies, he also sees to the odd cat placement. And I think he listens to children in a way that is wholly unique. Which is why I say, be careful when you tell them to pray about something. Because they will.
