A Big Prayer for A Little Rain

This is a true story about my oldest daughter, Charisma Suzanne (Shanaberg) Sullivan!

A BIG PRAYER FOR A LITTLE RAIN

 

When my children were young, we were camping, whenever we could.  Sticks and rocks became something different, in this outdoorsy world.  The sticks became swords and all sorts of toys.  There was, even, fighting over the sticks; like the woods were not full of them.  There is no corner in the woods, so "time out" was taken standing on a flat rock with the nose facing the tree.

 

One summer, there was a terrible drought.  The bees were going crazy.  It was miserable to be outside.  The kids would dry off from swimming and be suffering from the heat, again, within the short distance between the lake and our tents.

 

My oldest daughter, Chari, said, "I wish it would rain."

 

We had a screen-tent, where we would sit, out of the sun, and eat.  Just outside of the front door of the screen-tent was a flat rock, about the size of a floor tile and an inch thick, that had a zip-lock bag under it for messages, when we were out.

 

I told Chari that that rock was a "prayer rock" and, if she really believed, she could stand on it and pray for rain.

 

She stood on the rock, with her hands clasped together, in prayer, and her eyes closed, chanting a repetitive prayer for rain.  I was praying, in my heart, that by some miracle, something would happen.  But, I knew that we were having a drought.

 

Nothing appeared to have happened, but suddenly, Chari began jumping around, shouting, and pointing at the "prayer rock."

 

When I went to look, there were no less than a dozen small drops of moisture on that rock.  I don't know whether it was "bird pee" or some tiny sputter of rain, but there it was; a miracle!

Author's Note

She has never forgotten that day and that her prayer "was" answered.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Since birds do not pee (all thier body fluid comes out when they defecate) it could not have been that. But it may have been water from a swim or perspiration from your daughter; at any rate, it is nice to believe our prayers are heard and answered. This made me smile. It's a quaint and charming story.

[Ice QueenJen]

great story! ( and maybe it did kinda rain)

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Christina,

I have to agree with my good friend Fabian. A delightful story. Probably sweat, tears, or left over moisture from a swim. But who cares. The effect was wonderful and it excited your daughter.

My very best regards,

Rick

[Lena M. P.]

I prefer to believe that they were angel tears. (lol) Nice sentiment and great story.

[Devons]

Kids are real clever and devious - i reckon she cheated.

Charming story again. If only we could retain that innocent spark that captured our imaginations so easily when we were children. Alas....

PS. Charisma?????? that's a HELL of a name!!!!

[Jamie S.]

What a cool memory for your daughter and you captured it perfectly. Its those little miracles that make us smile and keep us going.

[Desert Dreamer]

We should all learn to believe again. I am not usually a beleiver of miracles, but I do know that if we truly believe, wondrous things can happen.

[Norma M Sutton]

Children are so much more faithful then we adults are.

[A.Lee]

How cute. Nicely written story.

[Gomer LePoet]

nice story Christine. We should all take time to stand on a rock and pray more often.