Sunday, October 16, 2011

same and different

Kiddo has a set prayer. It consists of about four sentences, all taken from prayers she's heard. She uses this prayer for almost every meal, family, and personal prayer she offers. Plus, she almost always offers the prayer, because she wants to.

(Just when we think it will never change though, she offers beautiful sincere prayers overflowing with heartfelt gratitude. For example, just last night she went on at length about how grateful she was she could go camping with her dad, then go on a walk in the morning, and step in poop, and show it to everyone. Not her poop! she points out. But I digress.)

Occasionally, her daddy tries to help her branch out. For example, Wednesday evening she said a blessing on the food, using her set prayer. My husband then told her he would pray, and he was more specific in his gratitude. After he finished, he said "Do you see how our prayers were different? I included specific things I was grateful for."

The next night, we were gathered for dinner again. This time he said the prayer. Kiddo immediately volunteered that she would pray. He started trying to convince her that one prayer was enough, but she insisted. Then she offered her set four-point prayer.

After finishing her prayer, she looked guilelessly at her dad and asked, "Do you see Dad, how our prayers were different?"