Sharon Sloan

Delighted by His Word. Dependent on His Grace.

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Testimonials
  • Books
    • Serendipity
  • Joy in the Truth
  • Contact

His Answer Upon A Scroll

February 27, 2010 | 6 Comments

“I call on you, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 17:6

I love to rejoice in and share answers to prayer, especially when they come through our children. “…and a little child will lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6) I am humbled continually how God uses our children in our lives. Both of our children have been His vessel in our lives in so many ways, including being answers to prayer.

God used Gabrielle (and her hand-made craft for me) as a beautiful answer to a heartfelt prayer in Autumn 2007, which resulted in an intimate testimony of His faithfulness and love for me and her, and in me having my very first published devotion: “A Heart More Beautiful”.

God used Gabrielle and her hand-made craft again this past Thursday 2/25.

Our children were home from school yesterday and Thursday due to another Nor’ Easter Snow Storm, touted as a “Snowicane” due to the heavy winds and predicted white outs. I was up earlier than usual on Thursday morning waiting to see if school was on or off. Once I knew school was canceled for the day, I stayed up and enjoyed lingering quiet time with the Lord and in His Word.

Just after 7 AM when the cherubs awoke and our serendipitous snow day together began, I felt my body tiring. Tossing the third load of laundry of the day into the washer just before 9 AM, I silently prayed to the Lord. “Lord, I am feeling tired this morning. I’d love to take a little nap today. But the kids are home and I don’t want to nap while they are home. I want to cherish this time with them. But if it pleases You that I take a nap today, can you please speak through one of my children? I’d love a little nap today. Thank you.”

Now, I don’t think I have ever prayed a prayer like that before. First of all, naps these days are a rare treasure. When the cherubs were babies and toddlers, I often napped when they did. It was necessary for my survival. Their napping days are long over, which mean my afternoon naps have vanished as well. Secondly, while I pray God lives and dwells in the hearts of my children daily, I don’t usually pray that He would speak through them to me as an answer to prayer. (Perhaps I should pray that more often!)

I continued about my day asking the Lord to direct my steps. My private prayer to the Lord for a little nap was kept quietly in my heart. I was thankful to have an unexpected day home to get some projects and chores accomplished. (Mondays and Thursdays are the days I work outside of the home.) And being together with my cherubs on our snow days, making memories of hot chocolate with a dollop of Marshmallow Fluff and having warmed outerwear ready for them to go outside and frolic in the snow are privileges I treasure as a mom. I asked God to balance my day and establish the work of my hands. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17)

Shortly before lunch on Thursday, after spending some time in her “craft corner” in the basement playroom, Gabrielle skipped up to me and said, “Mommy I made something for you. I made you a scroll with a special message just for you!” She opened the scroll and began reading her edict to me:

“Dear Mom: Go nap when you have a chance. It’s OK. Trust me. Now, go nap. You really need one.
Love, Brie
“
(For a brief moment, I was tempted to over-analyze her statement “You really need one.” However, I let that go quickly knowing that she was being used as God’s vessel for me.)
I was once again in jaw-dropping awe of God’s amazing goodness. He answered a mommy’s prayer through her child. While I was thankful that the Lord ordained a nap for me, I was more excited to proclaim His goodness and His specific answer to prayer through my daughter!!! I was so excited to tell her about my silent prayer and how God used her as His vessel!!! May He impress her heart with His love for her permanently!!! As I shared my private prayer with Gabrielle and how God used her, an ear-to-ear smile sparkled on her face. Oh, I pray she knows His love for her always!!! Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer. Thank you more for encouraging this mommy’s heart and the heart of my child!!!
After serving lunch and being sure the cherubs were safe and content, this mommy snuggled up on the sofa with my favorite blanket and napped for an hour. Ahhhh……. “The sleep of a laborer is sweet…” Ecc. 5:12
“…when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Joy in the Truth

Comments

  1. Runner Mom says

    February 27, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    How absolutley precious! God speaking thru your daughter thru a scroll. I love this, Sharon! I trust you got that nap in–that you were obedient!!

    The weather is clear but cold today. Hubby just left to ride his bike–he is going to freeze! I am planning to run in a bit. Then, house cleaning…fun!

    Love ya!
    Susan
    PS–Are you familiar with Jon Courson's commentaries?

    Reply
  2. Unknown says

    February 27, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    I love your comment about being tempted to over-analyze her statement, because I would be right there with you sister! I pray for it, then I go "wait 1 minute, I do not NEED a nap, I WANT a nap." LOL!

    This was so sweet and a wonderful post. I too used to nap when mine were little, and I too don't get to anymore. What a sweet, wonderful post. I just LOVED it!

    Reply
  3. Unknown says

    February 27, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    Thanks for sharing that Sharon! It blessed me!

    God is so amazing right down to the details He cares!

    Oh how sweet to have our children bless us with answer to our prayers! Love it!

    Love and hugs – Jill
    Who is a bit tired of this white stuff outside our home! Spring are you near???

    Reply
  4. Mich says

    February 27, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    How sweet!

    Permission from both God and my child to take a NAP?!!! Frame that beautiful piece of artwork!

    Loved this!

    Reply
  5. Nana Jul says

    February 28, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    That is just AWESOME!! Isn't God AMAZING!!
    Heart warming and very encouraging!! Thanks for sharing your treasure!
    Love,
    Julie

    Reply
  6. Wendy Blight says

    March 1, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    Sharon, I just love how many times God shows you He is at work in your life through your precious children.

    I too appreciated your comment about being tempted to over-analyze her statement. It is so like Satan to lead us away from praising God for the blessing and answer to prayer and toward a self-centered view of the situation…looking for the negative rather than the positive. So proud you ignored "old smutty face!"

    I too miss naps. I am home sick and in my bed right now watching Leave it to Beaver! I must say even though I don't feel well; it feels good to rest.

    Love you,

    Wendy

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect with Sharon

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Get Connected

Subscribe to my blog updates.

Order Sharon's
book Serendipity.
Available from Amazon.

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: No posts found.

Recent Posts

  • Hello world!
  • He Bought Her Pearls
  • A Purpose And A Promise

Latest Facebook Feed

Latest Facebook Feed

Latest Tweets

Sharon Sloan on Twitter

Copyright © 2023 Sharon Sloan | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Photographs by Toni Valentini Photography

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.