Prayers By Graham

Graham Update Day 63 (8/10/14)

Graham's accident is a parent's worst nightmare.  When I saw him laying in the neighbor's driveway after his head was run over, I cannot describe the horror, fear, and anguish that I felt.  But from that time, with a lot of prayer, a lot of love, and many blessings  from our Heavenly Father, our burden as a family has been lightened, we have been comforted, and Graham has been blessed with a miraculous recovery.  Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't wish this on anyone, and I am not strong enough to say I would do it again if faced with the choice to do it over.  I absolutely would not.  But we are better as people for having lived through this. We have had so many deep spiritual experiences that no matter the end result, our family is on a better trajectory now than we were before, both as individuals and together.  And leading the way, as always, is Graham.  His first week in therapy here at Cook Children's, he paused in the middle of his exercises to ask Heavenly Father for help.  He is an amazing example of faith.  And last night, he proved again that he is faithful, charitable, and wise beyond his six years.

I am not the best father in the world.  Our scripture reading is inconsistent at best.  There are plenty of people who are more involved with their kids.  Who play more with their kids.  Who are better teachers to their kids.  But I try.  And one thing of which I have made a point in teaching my kids is to pray "with feeling."  In other words, when my kids pray I teach them not to go through the motions and say repetitive words.  But that when they pray they should be feeling - a lot - and speaking accordingly.  So whenever I tuck them in at night I always remind them - "Don't forget to pray...." and they respond "with feeling!"

So last night I was sitting in a chair next to Graham messing around on the computer while he watched a movie.  Out of nowhere, Graham said:

"Dad, please oh please can we say a prayer with feeling?"

When a six year-old asks for anything by saying "please oh please," the answer is yes.  So I obliged and knelt down next to his bed.  And this was Graham's Prayer:

"Dear Heavenly Father,
Please bless everyone to know that Satan is real.  And Heavenly Father, please protect our spirits.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Very short.  Very sweet.  Very profound.  Things that I have, unfortunately, never directly taught him as a father.  In a world today that teaches that there is no wrong, that everything short of murder and abuse is justified, it is amazing that a six-year old boy recognizes that:
(1) there is a real influence out there that wishes us bad.  The great deceiver wants us to make choices that will make us unhappy in this life and in the life to come.    And
(2) That there is a more powerful influence out there who is just as real.  He is our Heavenly Father.  He loves us, and he has the power to protect us.  He won't always protect our bodies from accidents, illness, and the choices that others make with their agency.  But he will always protect our spirits. He will always help us to learn, become better, and make the most of the things that happen to us in life.  He WILL protect our spirits. Those can be untouchable if we choose, and if we ask.

This morning Graham's prayer was again equal parts simple, sweet, and sincere:

"Dear Heavenly Father,
Please bless everyone to have a good and pleasant summer.  In The name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Here is a boy who is undoubtedly getting stir crazy.  He asks "can we please go back home to McKinney, Texas?" several times each day.  And yet his morning prayer reflects his nature - always concerned with the welfare of others, while ultimately content with the cards that life has dealt to him.  So to everyone readying - please have a good and pleasant summer!

I am so grateful that, like Graham, so many of you have taken the time to pray for someone else.  You have offered up your feelings and so much more for Graham and our family.  And I am very grateful that God has preserved Graham's life, because he is an amazing little boy, and I really feel like the world is a better place with him in it.