My special girl

When I share posts about Ellie, I often find myself complaining, or at the very least wishing I understood her better. She's a bundle of inquisitive energy. Without a doubt, life with her is topsy turvy on a good day... utter chaos on a bad one. My friends assure me this is just "life with girls."

The past couple days, though, I have discovered a side to her that I overlooked. I realize it's been there all along... maybe because of the slower week and more time together, I have finally had the opportunity to really see her for the special, special girl she is. (Don't misread this... I have always found her to be special, and love her with all my heart - as only a mama can. I just also find that I often have little patience when it comes to her free-spirited ways)

Back to Ellie, yesterday, I commented on a news story to Rob (a good samaritan here in the Raleigh area died when he stopped to help at a traffic accident). Ellie heard me and came to me reaching out her hands.

"Ellie, what do you want?" I asked.

"Let's pray for him, mama." Huge eyes. Really huge eyes. Full of concern for a man she would never meet.

I placed my hands gently in hers, and she prayed. She thanked God for the good samaritan on the road. She thanked God that he cared about other people. She asked God to take good care of him in heaven. "Your turn, mama," she finished.

I prayed for his family, the others in that tragic accident, and in thanks for my daughter. She understands better than anyone I know that God cares about EVERYTHING we go through.

Ellie does this a lot, I just need to slow down to notice it. She prays for Nathan when he forgets to take his lunch to school. She prays for Ben when he gets stuck in his school work. She has no qualms about asking the kids at her school to pray for everyone and everything. She understands: Prayer is simply a conversation with God.

The Bible instructs us to pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17). Following Ellie's example, it's easy. Thank you, my special girl, for setting an example for us all.