Teach A Child to Pray, and He'll Pray for A Puppy

My mama is an avid fan of prayer. When we lost our shoes, she told us to pray. Couldn't find enough dollars to pay for tuition debt free: pray, pray, pray. Aching because we miss Daddy: pray.

Like most children, my two youngest siblings, Miss JoJo and Mr. SJ decided that there was something missing from their lives. Something wiggly, sweet, rolly, and with lots of drool. In light of their big sister's lack of plans to give them a baby nephew or niece in the immediate future, they decided that a puppy was in order.

So they prayed. And by pray, I mean pray every morning and night, every day, for months and months. Prayin' for a puppy, wanting' puppy, dreamin' of a puppy.

And then, a few days ago, SJ and JoJo heard that someone in my mama's church was giving away free puppies. And oh goodness, did they put on their cutest faces and managed to persuade my mom to take them to see the puppies. Just to see...

But once they saw those puppies it was utter puppy love at first tail wag, and they got along as well as puppies and children are apt to. However, even  these cherubic baby faces need a final push towards convincing mommy about a puppy decision.

Honestly, they are the cutest. 

And that's when their sweet, childish faces turned toward their mommy and said....

"Mommy, we prayed for a puppy, so it's an answer to prayer!" 

Try arguing with that one--I dare you. It's absolutely impossible to do. 

And they were right--they DID pray for a puppy, and there was a puppy.

So they got this guy...

If this isn't sad puppy eyes....

The current consensus is that he shall be dubbed "Bolt" because supposedly there is a lightning bolt shaped white spot behind his ear...or something. However, there was a contingent (named Abraham) who thought he should be named "Ford" after the truck, and in accordance with all my brothers' idea that Ford means American. And, of course, the puppy is incredibly American and patriotic. Or something. 

So now Sir Boltey (and that's what I am going to call him)  is going to spend his days being loved on by SJ and JoJo and all their big siblings, and being taught that doggies DO NOT eat chickens, no matter how yummy they may look. 

Eating the chickens is more than a no-no for canines at my mama's house. 

Little Bolt is a walking, barking, ball of cuteness that embodies a child's faith, and that ever so important lesson of prayer.