Sep 21
22
Beware of the Faith of a Little Child
A couple, George and Deloris, before we had become close friends, had called with a “spiritual” problem.
They had two kids, George Jr., 6 and Suzie.
We were sitting in my office – the problem? Suzie, a precocious four year-old, wanted to have a baby brother.
Deloris said, “I’ve been permanently fixed, my tubes were not merely tied, they’ve been cut and the doctor told me that having another baby is impossible.”
“So, what’s the problem?” I remember asking.
“Well, we’re bringing her up to pray in faith and she is praying continually for a baby brother.” George was nodding in quiet agreement.
“So what are you going to do about it?”
“That’s what’s bothering us, I’ve already explained to her that it is impossible, because of my operation, but she is still praying constantly for a baby brother.”
“Careful what beliefs you hold onto, you might get surprised,” I remember responding.
“What do you mean, man,” George spoke for the first time since they sat down, “We’ve already decided we don’t want any more kids, that’s why she had the operation and we’re sure not going to adopt another one so it really is impossible.”
“That’s the belief I’m talking about, George. What do you guys want most,” I remember clearly, laughing while asking, “Your daughter to pray in faith, or you not to have another child?”
“But it’s impossible!” Deloris said emphatically, but I could see she was faltering a bit.
I remember repeating, “I’d be careful about holding onto that thought.”
I also remember having dinner at their place, a few years later and Donnie, now about 4, being a nuisance; George joking, “That’s your baby, man, I mean you practically prophesied he would happen.”
Suzie’s miracle baby brother was a monster, a behavioral disaster, a disruptive/destructive brat!
Deloris’ gynecologist, with over 30 years in practice and hundreds of procedures, told her that he would have said it was impossible and it was certainly a first for him.
Deloris told me that, when she pointed out he had said that it would be impossible; he just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders saying, “I know.”
I had occasion to ask Susie when she was around ten if she had ever regretted praying for a brother. She admitted it, and with mature wisdom, far beyond her years, she said it made her realize how important it was to be careful how you pray.
Next up, The Faith of Enoch and how to get it
d/”b”