grace in prayer

the sweetest thing happened to me today.  i was at school and one of the first grade teachers said, "miss keeton, we have to tell you something!"  i quickly went over and the class told me that they had been praying for me- not just to find a job, but to find a "GREAT" job!  the teacher clarified that what they meant by that was, "a job that's close, that pays a lot of money, and that will make me very happy."  one little boy shouted out, "i even pray for you at home at night, before i go to bed!"  how adorable is that?  i almost started crying right there.  i mean, i feel like God listens to kids.  i know, God listens to everyone.  but for sure kids.  this job search has been quite the process and i am really starting to grow weary of it, so i look forward to that call, so i can tell those first graders how God answered their prayers (and mine!).  this picture isn't of them, but i thought it was a nice (albeit old school) image of kids praying in school.

beyond my own situation, prayer has played a big part in the life of my best friend from college recently as well.  she has been on bed rest for the last five weeks now, trying her best to do everything in her power to protect her little baby boy, who is growing inside her.  she is amazing and i have so much admiration for her.  throughout all of this, she has not complained or anything- she just wants her baby to be okay.  she truly believes that he still is growing and has a strong heartbeat because of all of the prayers that her friends, family, and even strangers who have read her blog, are saying for her and her husband and their little one.  the faith that is getting her through this is truly remarkable, considering that last year she lost her first child, a baby girl, without being able to carry her to term.  i have to say that this whole situation, which has defied the odds to an incredible extent, renews my faith daily.  truly it is faith, hope, and love that are keeping this fragile life safe and healthy.

they say good things come in threes...my family's friend who has had major heart issues, is only 20 years old, and has a 1 year old baby girl, received a new heart yesterday, after many people's many prayers!  i am happy to report that she is doing okay, and so far, no sign of rejection.   keep those prayers coming!  God is good.  no wait, God is GREAT!

grace in little people

soooo...yesterday was a great day.  for a lot of reasons.  the most prominent being that i passed my comprehensive exams for my program, which officially means i can graduate.  while i studied a lot for them and fully expected to pass them, i think i had a pretty healthy anxiety about the whole situation, knowing that at least one of the professors would not just see this as a formality, but would really make me work for that little piece of paper.  let's just say...i was glad i prepared! 

it was such a relief to get them over with, and then i was so happy because i got to spend the rest of the night with two of my favorite little people.  when i got there to babysit (aka hang out), there were beautiful tulips on the table, and my little "almost four"-year-old friend had made some downright adorable cards.  i walked in to hear, "caitlin, your favorite colors are yellow and purple, right?"  even if i hated yellow and purple, i couldn't have said anything other than yes! 

later that evening, we were putting together a big floor puzzle about the human body and i asked him what his favorite body part was (dangerous question, i realize in hindsight!).  his response:  "the small intestine!"  duh.  who doesn't love the small intestine?  this kid is just amazing.  i can only hope that i have one as great as him someday.  i was just thinking how cool it has been to watch him grow up.  i got to hold him when he was just about a week old, and here he is in preschool, teaching me about the digestive system! 

there is something so magical and mystical and spiritual and life-giving about early childhood.  i used to think that preschool teachers were saints and couldn't imagine how they dealt with accidents and the incessant questions.   i'm starting to think they have the best job out there.  it's like being surrounded by pure excitement ALL the time.  everything is new and filled with wonder, waiting to be explored. (okay, i'm probably idealizing it just a bit.)

god, give me the eyes of a three-year-old so that i can see your glory in everything i encounter!