There comes a time in every new mother's life in which she prays and hopes that her children will develop a desire to take what they've been taught and apply it in their own life. A leap of faith to believe that what Mommy and Daddy are teaching really does apply to them.
When our daughter Shannon was elementary school age, we were informed by the school nurse that Shannon needed glasses. So we scheduled a visit to the optometrist. Our concerns were confirmed. then came the daunting task of picking out just the right pair. There were endless options, light and dark frames, some with patterns, you name it, they could be found. I found a pair right away that I thought would look very nice on Shannon and fit our budget restrain nicely. To my surprise, they didn't unite meet Shannon's requirements. In her hands, (and not to be taken from them) was a pink pair of glasses. They did look lovely with her blue eyes, tanned skin, and blonde hair. I was mainly concerned about the price, the pink color (can a person stand to wear pink glasses for a year?). After much debate, Shannon and I had come to an agreement. The pink glasses were a go, on the condition that they were worn for the whole year, no changing our minds in a couple of months, and that she took extra care to make sure they stayed in good condition. Everyone left happy.
Fast forward to that day we all knew was going to happen. It was Saturday; the kids home from school, house busy with chores to be done, children playing, the usual fun stuff on Saturday. Shannon and a friend (Katie Manlove) came running in the kitchen, half out of breath, "would it be alright if we rode our bikes to the park and played for a while?" The park was just behind our home, and I felt it was a safe, fun thing for them to do. So I said, "Sure." As they whirled out the door, a thought came to me, "Be careful with your glasses" but the girls were gone in a flash with no time to deliver the message. I went about doing the rest of my morning chores. Soon after, I heard Shannon calling me outside. I could tell by the look on her face that something very troubling had happened. "Mommy, I can't find my glasses. We were riding our bikes; they kept sliding off my face, so I put them in my pocket to keep them safe. I can't find them now. I think they are at the park somewhere. I looked, but I can't find them."
Several things went through my mind. If I had just stopped them as they left the door and said to be careful with the glasses maybe this wouldn't have happened. I also thought, "Do I reprimand her for not being cautious with her glasses?" I could tell by the look on her face that she was already in pain. Then I thought this would be a great teaching moment to instill in her the blessing of prayer.
I asked, "Shannon have you said prayer asking Heavenly Father to help you?" "Yes," she said, "in my mind." "Why don't you and I ask Heavenly Father together, then we will go hunt for your glasses." After we got up from our knees, we headed to the park. The whole way there I was saying my own personal prayer in my heart; asking Heavenly Father to please be aware of this young daughter, to help her get the answer to help build her testimony of prayer.
As we got to the park my heart just ached, it looked like the grass had not been mowed for a month, and the grass was so tall. I thought there was no way we were going to find her glasses. We continued to look and look, and it was apparent to me that we were not going to find her glasses. I called Shannon over to where I was standing. I took her hands in mind and began to explain to her why sometimes Heavenly Father doesn't answer our prayers the way we had wanted. After talking sometime in this manner, we both lowered our heads in sadness. Shannon was crying, and my heart was heavy. I so had wanted Shannon's first real test of prayer to be answered positively. I doubted Heavenly Father's choice.
We embraced and were preparing to leave, when Shannon cried out, "Look Mom!" There, right at our feet, between our embrace int he tall grass, were the "pretty pink glasses."
I had to do some quick repenting to ask Heavenly Father to forgive me of my lack of faith. I don't always understand why our prayers are answered the way they are, but I do know the Lord loves us. He wants what is best for us. He looks over us. Even if it's just to find pretty pink glasses.
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