The Blessings

Lately it seems like the highlight of our day as parents is the mealtime prayer. I look forward to it every day. At first I almost dreaded it because it was nearly impossible not to laugh and the last thing I want to do is discourage her to pray, but it is so hilarious. Drew and I usually keep one eye open so we can smile at each other during the funny parts.

Since she learned to talk her prayer was simple and to the point...
Dear God, thank you, Amen.

And that's all she said until just a couple months ago. It's like a light bulb went off and she finally realized she could talk, really talk to God. And boy, does she! It's hilarious! Usually her longest prayers are when we're out to eat at a restaurant. When it's noisy and we can't hear what she's saying. But she goes on and on and on. And we sit there with our heads bowed, holding hands, biting our lips, trying not to laugh, all while she goes on and on and on.

One night at home this was the prayer... she had a little help from Charlotte, too.

Dear God, thank you for our food...
     Aaaaaoooooooaaaa...
thank you for our forks...
     Aaaaaoooooooaaaa...
and our cups...
     Aaaaaoooooooaaaa...
and please help Mama figure out what to cook with...
     Aaaaaoooooooaaaa...
and please help people build...
     Aaaaaoooooooaaaa...
and please help Daddy figure out what roads to drive on...
     Aaaaaoooooooaaaa...
and thank you for Jesus...
     Aaaaaoooooooaaaa...
In Jesus' name, Amen.

And this was tonight's prayer.

Dear God, thank you for our food. And thank you for our drinks. Thank you for Charlotte and Mama and Daddy. And please help... no, PROMISE that you'll keep people safe in the storms, I mean the really bad storms. And help people not to eat when their Mamas say it's not time to eat yet. Help 'em be still and just don't eat if their Mamas say don't eat. In Jesus name, Amen.

While we were at the beach, we had gone out for ice cream after supper one night and Ireland asked if we had to say the blessing. Livy said,

"No. We only say the blessin' when supper is hot."

She's quite the little blessing guru.