Praying/Pecking Order

Little Girl's prayers are getting more and more sincere lately. Sometimes (usually at night when she is tired) she will refuse to pray. We usually let it go, because- who wants to be forced to pray? One night after she and I had been through a particularly trying day she said her usual "Heavenly Father, Thank you Jesus, thank you Daddy" (Daddy is always after Jesus when she prays- I usually, but not always, come next). "Thank you my bunk bed, amen." Then she looked right at me and said "I didn't say thanks you, because you mean." I pulled the dagger out of my chest and went off to read my book. At least she is honest. She got back at T a few days later when he accidentally forgot to consult her majesty and he cut her bagel without consent. That evening, during family prayer, she prayed for "Daddy to make her a bagel with butter that was not cut in half, ...amen." I guess she showed him.

Her prayers are almost always a source of comic relief for the family, as she looks around for inspiration during her prayers inserting whatever she sees with those big blue eyes that should be shut. "Thanks napkins and ketchup, thanks phone and bird feeder." The bunk bed almost always gets an honorary mention. The day T made that bunk bed for her was certainly a stand out day. I think it was the excitement and attention that an all-day project centered around something just for her produced. I mean, in a family our size that is a rare thing indeed.

Yesterday at dinner time I called on her to pray. She glanced around and thanked God for each of the people at the table (being prompted by her siblings to say their name next- it was very reverent). She had gotten through all the kids except Big Boy who was prodding her but she whispered back "no- I don't like you!" We all laughed. But really, it isn't funny.

It's always amazing to me the power that this little girl has in the family. She is only 3 and she has all of us wrapped around her little finger. Big Girl is every bit as cute but the boys treat her like she's got cooties. I'm not all together sure who's in the better spot. But who wouldn't be putty in the hands of this little cutie?