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“

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