Prayer & Constipation

A poopy that will not come out is a BIG DEAL to a four year old.  It is a situation worthy of a sincere prayer to the Most High.  A while back just such a problem occurred at our house.  Z was on the toilet straining and sweating, crying and panicking.  She called to me to come sit on the side of the bathtub to comfort her. Without going into much detail, we tried several methods of easing the problem without any luck.  At one point she strained and squealed something inaudible.  I asked, “Sweety, what did you say?”  Rather frustrated, and more clearly this time, she said, “I need Jeeeesusss!”  

I stifled every urge within me to laugh and agreed that we should say a prayer and ask Jesus to help the poopy come out.  So there in the bathroom with me, Z, the Dora towels, and the princess toothbrush we humbly bowed our heads asked the Lord for some much needed help.  There was a sense of relaxation and eventually the deed was done.  Then, of course, we had to have a big celebration and say a prayer of Thanksgiving.  

I was so surprised by this whole encounter.  We have made it a habit to say a blessing every night, and more recently, Z has been verbalizing her own bedtime prayers.  And we say grace before our meals.  But in this everyday, practical situation I was shocked to see that Z really did understand that any concern can be voiced to God.  As a matter of fact, it had never even crossed her mind that she could not or should not pray about such a thing. 

Perhaps when Jesus made a big deal out of instructing us to protect and nurture and even be like little children he knew we could learn volumes from them.  Children have no preconceived notions about what is appropriate, politically correct, etc.  They just boldly run to Him, arms outstretched and overflowing with trust.  It is our job to maintain that for as long as possible and allow the child to carry as much of that into the “cold hard world” as possible.   

Just a couple days ago Z and I were in a department store and the need to go potty struck.  As I waited outside the stall she was in, I heard some talking/mumbling.  I said, “Mommy didn’t hear you.  What did you say?”  She replied, “I’m talking to Jesus.”  Nothing more needed to be said.   

Another prayer was answered and a child’s faith was increased.  

Romans 8:26-28 (“The Message” translation) Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along.  If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.