Penny’s Prayers

Last updated on: April 26, 2012 at 7:40 pm by Amy Julia Becker

Penny’s Prayers 2012-04-26T19:40:37-04:00 Amy Julia Becker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I was putting Penny to bed tonight and I asked, “Do you want me to pray for you?”

She nodded.

“What do you want me to pray for?”

“Help me control my hands at school.”

When I had picked Penny up from school that morning, her teacher had told me Penny was “like a tumbleweed.” I can imagine the details–rolling around on the floor during circle time, taking toys from other kids, refusing to follow directions… When I asked Penny what happened, she didn’t want to talk about it.

So, as she lay in bed, eyes half-closed from exhaustion, listening to me pray, I said, “God, thank you for Penny and for the gift she is to us and for the hard work she’s doing at school. Please help her to control her hands.”

Her eyes popped open. “No. Mom. I can do it myself.”

“Sweetie, I’m sure God would like to help you.”

“No.” She pushed herself up in bed. “I can do it myself.”

“How about I pray that God would help you do it yourself?”

“Okay.”

So I prayed and stroked her head and said, “Amen.”

She looked at me. “But Mom, what do you need God to help you with?” We weren’t done until we had prayed for every member of the family.

Maybe she exasperates her teachers. Maybe she annoys the other kids. Maybe she’s a tumbleweed. Maybe she could work harder to control her hands.

One thing I know for sure. She is very very loved.

Previous Post

May 16, 2011

Growing Up with Down Syndrome

Next Post

May 18, 2011 Is There Such a Thing as Wrongful Birth?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Articles Books Disability Down Syndrome Faith family Perfectly Human Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 September 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz