“Mrs. X!!” The voice of a young man from my children’s school called behind me in our local supermarket two days ago. As I turned and smiled, I was greeted by a wide smile of his own – a 17 year old boy I’ll call “Tom” who has been on a sports team with my son and in homeroom together for several years. They are friends – not super close – but the boy has slept over this summer for guys’ night and my son hangs out with him occasionally.
After we chatted for a few minutes about his recent sports injury and plans for college next year, we said goodbye and I thanked him for stopping to say hello. As I watched him walk down the aisle, I couldn’t help but think of how God answered a little sister’s prayer for her brother.
Just about two months ago I came across a scribbled note tucked into my youngest daughter’s old bible in her bedside drawer that she wrote 6 years ago when she was 10. It read:
“Please make Tom and Jim nice to Alex and stop being mean to him!!”
This was my daughter’s prayer request for her big brother (pseudonym for big brother is “Alex”).
We moved to our current school district when my twins were entering 6th grade. Little did I know that the timing was brutal. They went from being rock stars at their former school to completely unknown at a time when all kids are beginning to become self-conscious, worried about everything “teen”, notice the opposite sex, and begin dealing with all the changes happening in their own bodies!
The school and town change was awesome (my twins will tell you so today), but it was definitely hard on them at first.
“Tom” was the boy from the supermarket who labeled my son “churchie” when we first moved here. Why? Because my son liked polo shirts and khaki pants. This boy found such clothes to be for Sundays only. He relentlessly yelled “churchie” through the hallways, teased my son about his glasses, and demeaned his ice hockey talent as “funny” in a town that breathes football. No matter how my son attempted to avoid this kid, he poked fun at him all the time. My daughter listened in on the after-school conversations and felt bad for her brother.
Seems small to us as grown-ups, but for the new kid at school, it was terrible. My son stood in my room in front of my mirror one morning asking, “Mama, should I wear this shirt today? Maybe it’s too nice for school.” And, “Should I wear my glasses today? Or maybe it’s a good day for my contacts, even though I don’t like them.”
His head lowered in front of the mirror. “Tom is going to make fun of me.”
Just as my eyes stung with tears and I seriously contemplated how I could get Tom alone to yank him up by the shirt collar an inch from my face and give him a wicked verbal lashing, my son looked up at himself and said, “But this is who I am…” He shrugged his shoulders and headed to the breakfast table.
Looking back, that was a big moment. At the time, I was still angry, hurt for him, and loaded up on some prayers of my own (probably not nearly as nice as my daughter’s prayer).
When my son came home that same afternoon, he shared that “Tom” did indeed tease him. But I stood in the frozen section on Wednesday night thinking about how God turned that situation around and used a rough patch for my son to grow him into a strong, confident young man today.
I thought of my precious daughter who has always been highly protective of her family members (the daughter who named us Family-to-the 5-Power many years ago) and is deeply faithful. When I found that note to God a couple of months ago my heart swelled thinking of her sweet spirit.
In front of Eggo waffles, I smiled thinking about how “Tom” was now a friend. (And, “Jim” is too.)
Tales from a Mid-Life Mama 
26 responses to “God Answered a Little Sister’s Prayer”
Beautiful testimony! It’s great how we can look back and see the work God has done! 🙂
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Yes, it’s always nice to look back and “remember” what He’s done. Thank you!
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What a touching story. God really does hear our prayers, no matter how “small” the request or the requester. 🙂
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Thank you…yes, He hears “all” :).
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This is such a beautiful post. It literally brought water to my eyes, as I continued reading. My daughter was bullied quite badly to the point where one of the girls was convicted. So this really touched me. Your daughter was amazing to write the prayer request. God is good all the time..
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I am so sorry that your daughter endured such a terrible experience. What a crazy world we send them into each day! I pray that she will emerge stronger and more confident. Thank you for visiting my blog and introducing me to yours :).
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A great reminder that God is faithful! It is really hard to watch our kids sustain all the bumps, bruises, and hiccups of growing up. Those lessons are probably not what we’d ever choose for them, but in the hands of the Lord they lead to maturity and reveal such sweet blessings–like the precious heart of a little sister :). Blessings to you!
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It is hard at the time, but as you said, the challenges may often lead to good outcomes! I appreciate your comment and thank you for reading :).
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I love God’s redemptive power at work in our children’s life. Thanks for writing this
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I love His redemptive work as well…thank you for writing.
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This made me cry. We have had a similar situation in our house and my prayers have helped tremendously! That’s great your son learned to be strong through it. What a sweet girl your daughter is. : )
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It’s difficult to watch our kids go through anything challenging, isn’t it? I am thankful for how God worked through the situation. I am happy to read that your prayers have helped in your own circumstance as well. Thank you Ellen for the comment, I appreciate it very much.
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what a lovely post to start off the day – thank you for sharing this. Even the worse circumstances God will use for his glory!
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It’s so hard to remember that He can use the worst circumstances for good when I’m smack in the middle of them. I am grateful when it all works out in the end. Thank you for your comment :).
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I too am grateful – and still waiting for His perfect timing to use this time in my life for His Glory. I know He will – when He knows I am ready.
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Waiting for His timing is hard but you are right – only He knows when we are ready :). Thank you again.
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What a wonderful memory and testimony of a family’s love for each other and God.
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Thank you, Rene. I am grateful for your comment. Have a blessed week ahead.
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You, too!
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🙂
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Oh my gosh, I love that story. Of course part of it made me cringe but I loved so much about it. I loved how a little sister had that kind of heart, I loved how God answered her prayer, I loved how your son accepted himself despite what others thought and I loved that it turned out well. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for your generous and kind comments, I appreciate your visit :).
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What a lovely story!
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Thank you for letting me know…I appreciate it :).
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Such a beautiful post. We did the same to our kids–moved when our youngest was entering 7th grade, and the oldest entering 11th grade—across the country. From the Pacific Northwest to the Deep South. It sounds like your son has a wonderful sense of self confidence, and your daughter is so loving.
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Wow – that was a huge move for all of you – across the country must have been culture shock. So much change I can’t imagine (especially for the 11th grader). Yes, thankfully God turned it around for my son. Thank you for the comment today :). Have a great weekend!
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