by Hayley Solich

Created on: July 14, 2007

Children That Pray

It was time to prepare tea, that daily ritual that usually had me pulling my hair out. Under foot were my four children with the oldest barely 7 years of age.

I remember feeling particularly frustrated this night. They were all hungry, tired and wanting dinner ready, but not willing to leave me to my task. Elise, in particular, was pestering me because she wanted a pet.

It was not the first time that she had asked me, but it was certainly the last, for in exasperation I turned to her and said, "Elise, if you want a pet then you are going to have ask God for one!" Internally, I continued, "Because there is no way on God's green planet that Andy and I will be buying you one!"

She immediately left me and headed for her room, a miracle in itself, as she is quite persistent when she sets her mind on something.

Three days later, Andy, my husband, came in from the shed. I looked at him with surprise and he said, "I heard a thump on the roof of the pergola outside the shed. When I went to see what it was, she was stuck up there." In his arms was a gorgeous three month old female black and white kitten.

I got out the digital camera and took a photo. I then door knocked the neighborhood, but I no owners were to be found.

When Elise saw the cat she was so excited and said, "Mum, God answered my prayer." Andy and I exchanged knowing glances and I laughed as I remembered what I had said in frustration in the kitchen three days earlier. I guess one should never jest about prayer!

Kaete, named after Andy's German grandmother, turned out to be the best cat you could find. She was fully toilet trained and child friendly. She is now very firmly the seventh member of our family and everyone who meets her comments on what a lovely cat she is. I can only say that God gives only the best, especially when we pray with childlike faith!

Learn more about this author, Hayley Solich.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.