While putting Amanda to bed tonight, she suddenly got up and hugged me. Thinking it was her usual good night hugs, I said, “I love you.” She held me tightly for a while (longer than usual) and then said in soft sobs that God didn’t answer her prayer for a pink motorbike (real bike, not toy).
Backtracking a little, about a week ago, she told her mother while walking past the row of motorbikes parked at the multistorey car park, that she wants a pink motorbike and she’ll pray to God about it. On the spot, she prayed in her simple heartfelt manner, for a bike! When I heard it I thought since when did she have a wild streak in her to want to ride a motorbike? She was afraid to sit on Vincent’s hybrid Honda bike a year ago. Anyway, we both thought it was just a frivolous chatter by a child.
This morning during Sunday school, YanHoon asked her what she’d like for her birthday and Amanda replied a pink motorbike without hesitation. Jismyl and I didn’t think too much about it in our hearts and left it at that.
Back to present. She asked “why did God not give her a pink motorbike?” I told her that’s probably because God don’t think she needs it. “But I need one.” Amused by her response but not belittling it, I told her God will give her what she needs, but not necessarily what she wants. “If you ask mom and dad for some thing, and if it is good and needful for you to have it, we will give to you,” I said. “Likewise, if you pray for some thing and if it is good for you, God will give it to you.” I am not sure how much of it she comprehended, but perhaps given time it will sink in.
I’m thankful for this teachable moment, and it reminds that when it comes to praying for tangible, material things, as parents we must emphasize to our children the rationale and the spiritual purpose for that prayer request. That prayer is not seen as a spiritual ATM but a means to pray to God knowing that He gives us what we need and what is good.
