mmrocker@bellsouth.net

My nine year old son, Nolan, is always the one who wants something at the store even if it is ten cents. I decided he needed to learn that money does not grow on trees.

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.

Copyright Michelle Rocker