Well, we have another installment in the ever developing prayer life of my four year old daughter. (Click here for Part 1 and Part 2.) It is so fun and so beautiful at the same time to see her fold her little hands whether it's over her meal or at a random moment in her car seat. God is doing a work in her heart even now and I love watching it develop.
Last Thanksgiving we saw on my husband's Twitter account that a pastor we really respect had a seizure and was taken to the hospital. Matt Chandler, pastor at The Village Church in Dallas, was later diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. I've quoted him before in my blog and we listen to his sermons regularly. Let's put it this way, when we get in the car to go somewhere Josie requests to listen to one of two things: Anne of Green Gables audio book or Matt Chandler. (Did I say she's four?)
Anyway, our family has been praying for him since we read the news on Thanksgiving. When I told Josie that we needed to pray for Matt Chandler she asked why. This is a natural response. I explained that he had a boo boo in his brain and that we need to ask God to heal his boo boo. She said, "Oh, OK.....What's a brain?" I thought, "Oh, wow. Yes, that's a good question." So, we went to the computer and googled pictures of brains. She was fascinated. Well, I've created a monster. She still asks if we can look at brains and she wants to look at human brains, dog brains, cat brains....I'm so sorry if this grosses you out. I also have anatomy books so she is always wanting to look at bones and muscles and all kinds of things.
So, a few weeks ago she was playing with her doctor kit and told me, "Mommy, I want to be a doctor so I can help people." My heart melted. That came without prompting. Okay, I know she's four, and we will not pressure her into keeping that dream. Our typical response is, "That's wonderful, Josie, but you need to be whatever God wants you to be." I just think it's sweet and love her precious little heart. She continues explaining that this is her plan.
Not long after this first exchange my grandfather went to have a spot removed from his ear. The biopsy came back malignant and after surgery the doctor told my mother and grandmother that the cancer had grown down into his neck. He wasn't able to remove it all.
With difficulty, I told Josie we needed to pray for J.R. (my g-pa) because he had cancer. "Like Matt Chandler?" "Yes, baby, sort of, but it's not in his brain. It's in his neck." "Can I still pray for Matt Chandler?" "Of course! Let's pray for both!" So, we've been praying for healing--and for my g-pa's salvation. We honestly do not know if he has received Christ as his savior. (Please join us in praying for this.)
Hearing her pray is one of the most beautiful things in the world. Caleb usually tries his best, but at this point he prays for things like "Lightning McQueen" and cookies--but it's a start, right? I praise God for the way he's moving in her life. I can't wait to see what He does with her. Whatever He does, I know He will receive glory and that is the best part of all.
Click here if you want to watch short video clips of Matt's journey with cancer. They are truly inspirational.
Here's a picture of my little anatomy student with her Valentine's Day present (a puzzle):
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