God's answer is sometimes "No".

I have to tell you about Fr. Don's homily this past week at church and how I was able to experience his message this morning. It was just a pivotal moment for me.

Fr. Don's message was about how we incorporate prayer in our life and how we have to understand that sometimes, the answer God gives us to what we ask for in prayer is going to be "no"...

Sophie was scheduled for a Doctor's appointment this morning at 9 and I decided to stay home with her until then rather then drop her off at the sitter's just to have to pick her up again just an hour later. She has been miserable lately and I was really struggling with finding ways to console her. I just prayed to God that He would give me the grace to get through the morning without losing my patience, that He would make it easier for me.

Well, after two hours of crying and many outfit changes later, we got ready to leave for the medical clinic. The moment I had grabbed my purse, put Sophie in the car seat, and grabbed the diaper bag, it started to pour. I mean pour! I ran outside and put Sophie in the car quickly and got in the car only to realize I'd forgotten my keys inside. So, I went inside and grabbed the keys. I started the car, pulled out of the drive, and turned the corner and there, not two blocks away, was a road block. At that very moment I looked up at the sky and smiled and thought--God, your answer to my prayers this morning was definitely a "no". And then, I thought, maybe, it's not all about me anyway!

I shouldn't have been praying for him to make it easier for me. What I should have been praying for was for Sophie's health; that He would help her to become healthy, well, happy. That He would make life a little easier for her.

I know that sometimes, as a parent and as a human, I ask God to help me get through moments that really don't have much to do about me. Out of selfishness, I prayed for those things this morning and His answer was "no".

But, to the greater issue--Sophie's health--His answer was always "yes". I never even had to ask. He's watching over his precious child and caring for her without selfishness in his heart and teaching me to do the same thing.

Sophie is just fine, now. She's feeling much better and I think I learned a great life lesson today as a Christian, as a parent, and as a human being.