Heavenly Father, Are You Really There?

 Always a Papa's girl

Classic.

One of my favorite things about being a mother is seeing the individual personalities develop in each of my girls.  They are all tender hearted…but in their own way.  They are all witty and funny…but in their own way.  Leah has always been my most sensitive child.  She cries when someone cries.  When she apologizes, it’s deep and sincere.  I love my Leah girl. 

When I turned 10 years old my parents gave me a ring.  It was 14k gold with a ruby.  I felt so high class.  My first real piece of jewelry.  I wore that ring through high school.  Leah had been given a cheap (but cute) CTR ring for her 8^th birthday.  She wore that ring everyday for 3 months and took such good care of it.  I thought she might enjoy wearing my old ring…a ring that wouldn’t turn her finger green!  Of course, she loved it, and she decided to ask Nana and Papa for a “real” CTR ring for Christmas.  I told my mom she was responsible enough for one.  My mom picked her out a top-of-the-line CTR ring.  Sterling silver, with cubic zirconia stones.  Fan-cy.  She even had it engraved: Love Nana and Papa 2014.  This ring is Leah’s treasure.  She understands it “costed a lot”, but she loves the sentimental value of it too. 

Friday James had to go on a scout camp out so that meant “Girl’s Night!!!”  We decided to do pedicures and stuff our faces with McDonald’s.  My living room was a mess of shoes, dirty socks and French fry crumbs.  I was painting Leah’s toes when she gasps, “MY RING!”  It wasn’t on her finger.  Instantly the tears start flowing.  The “how can I go on with my life” wailings began.  I’m trying to be the voice of reason, “Leah, just settle down.  We will look for it.  Did you have it on at school?”  We retraced her entire day.  We tore apart the couches and sifted through old McDonald’s bags.  Combed our fingers over the entire surface of the living room rug.  It wasn’t anywhere.  The only thing I could say is, “We’ll just have to talk to someone at school on Monday.”  I knew telling her “Nana will get you a new one” would never make it ok.  She felt so defeated that she had lost this treasure.  She disappeared to the back of the house…this is not uncommon for her when she’s emotionally troubled.  Ha!  She needs her space and she needs some privacy to “let it out.”  I was finishing Raychel’s toes when she came back to the front.  Her face red and splotchy.  Her eyes nearly swollen shut.  She says confidently, “Well, I’ve been back there praying, for like, TWO minutes.  I think it will be ok.”  I knew the only way it would “be ok” was for her to find her ring.  I was pleading with Heavenly Father myself, “Please let us find this ring.  This will make or break her testimony.  Please let her little prayers be answered!”  I kept painting, and I kept pleading.  “How am I going to make this ok for her?”  I felt the situation was hopeless.  I could not even remember seeing it on her hand!  There is no way we are going to find this tiny ring.

 I had the girls putting their feet up on a tray as I was polishing.  In between the couch and tray there was a pile of those cheap, plastic Mardi Gras beads that seem to always show up again after I put them in the garbage.  I swear to you, right on top of these beads was the CTR ring.  My eyes instantly start welling up with tears.  Here I was wanting this experience to be a testimony builder for Leah.  It turns out it was just as much of a testimony builder for me!  All I could say was “Oh my gosh, Leah, here it is!!!”  She (in dramatic Leah fashion) grabs the ring, hugs it and twirls.  She runs back to her room again.  She comes back up…eyes filled with fresh, new tears.  “I just had to thank Heavenly Father.  I can’t believe He answered my prayer!” 

Maybe I’m making this situation be too dramatic, but this was literally a miracle.  Knowing my Leah, she would have remembered this loss for the rest of her life.  I am still getting emotional as I think about it.  I know and understand that prayers are not always answered so immediately.  They are sometimes not answered that directly.  Sometimes we have to search for that “hidden” or deeper meaning.  However, I am so glad Leah had this experience.  I know that it has shaped her faith for the rest of her life.  I hope she remembers this when she is in the midst of waiting and pleading for answers to pressing questions…when she is begging for strength to endure a trial…it will come.  Heavenly Father always hears you.

 Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

"Suffer the children to come to me."

Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

Pray, he is there;

Speak, he is list'ning.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.