broken arm prayers.

I am sure even the godliest 8-year old would have fallen prey to envy when they watched Heidi walk into the Miss Norman's 3rd grade class that monday morning.  Heidi was sporting a huge cast on her arm and an even bigger smile on her face  On the previous friday,  Heidi had fallen on the playground and broke her arm.  As,  Heidi' s parents rushed their daughter to the hospital for treatment,  Miss Norman called the class into action.  There were cards to make,  a desk to decorate and a schedule to be made of who would help Heidi for the duration of her cast.

From the moment Heidi stepped into the class, she was flooded with attention.  I was one of the first in line to sign her cast.  She had assistance with her books, her lunch tray and plenty of popularity on the playground. 

It all seemed like a dream.  A moment of pain,  for 6 weeks of celebrity!  Sign me up! 

Thus began my "broken arm prayers".    "Lord,  if you could just break my arm like Heidi's, I would really appreciate it"  Of course,  after what I am sure was a big belly laugh from God,  I am sad to say,  all my limbs stayed intact.

Now,  some forty years later,  I smile at the immature wishes.  But,  then I reflect on other prayers over the years.  In my little mind, they were very sincere.  I just didn't have the bigger picture.  God has answered "no" to prayers.  Evidence later reveals that God was protecting me, or maturing me, or giving me something far greater. 

I am sure I still pray "broken arm prayers".  I am sure I still make God laugh at some of my requests.  I will still keep praying, hopefully, with more maturity.  Even though I don't crave the title of" Miss Popularity" of the 3rd grade,  I do ask for things that may not be for the greater good.  I love that God is always good and will work everything for good.  I can trust Him.  He has proven faithful.