A D6 Mom - A D6 Moment

My friend and assistant, Leah, is one of the most amazing moms I know. She is constantly inspiring me with stories about her kids and ways she is passing her faith to them in everyday moments. Sometimes they pass it back! Here is a neat D6 story she shared with me recently:

“We need new tennis shoes!” It was a school night and our family had just finished dinner. The plan was to clean up, get homework done and have my two sons in bed on time so that my husband and I could enjoy a little rest and relaxation. However my boys had a plan of their own.

Basketball season had started and they both insisted they “needed” brand new basketball shoes. “Absolutely not”! Their school tennis shoes would be fine. My oldest son had a hole in his left shoe but surely that couldn’t interfere with him running down the basketball court. My youngest son’s hand-me-downs would certainly survive a few more months.

As I stacked the dishwasher, my boys secretly strategized a plan. They explained that these new shoes could play a dual role. Not only would they be perfect for basketball season but could also be worn to school. They told me it would be the last pair of shoes they would need until Summer time. I fell for it… hook, line and sinker.

Before I knew it, we were in the car headed for the local shoe store. I had already told the boys we needed to stay away from fancy sporting goods stores that seldom have the deals we were looking for. I've majored in shopping most of my life and this was definitely going to be a buy one get one free shopping spree.

As we drove to the store, I began to feel my stress level rise. So many thoughts flooded my mind. Basketball shoes are expensive. Christmas is right around the corner. So much for those cute boots I was saving up to buy. It's after 7:00 pm on a school night. What am I doing! In that moment, I blurted out to my son "Brody, would you please pray”?

Many years ago our family started consistently praying every time we left our home. It didn't matter whether we were running a simple errand or leaving for a 7 day vacation trip. Regardless of the circumstances we always asked God for protection and a safe return home. Tonight was no exception.

I figured my son would toss out a quick three liner prayer asking God for a specific pair of brand name shoes he was hoping for. Instead he started out with a very simple prayer of thanks. He thanked God for passing his science test that morning and for his friends at school and church. He thanked God for keeping our family safe and for the great dinner we had that night.

Then he prayed about the new basketball shoes he and his brother so desperately wanted. Not only did he ask God to help us find them but requested that they be available in just the right size, and that his soon to be found shoes would be on sale at a really good price and of course be a popular brand name. He prayed we would find the shoes quickly and not have to run to several different stores since it was a school night.

I'd heard my son pray many times before but this time was different. As I reflected on all of those long talks and numerous questions he’d ask about God and answered prayers, I realized that taking the time to share God’s principals and promises with him in the past had made a difference in his prayer life.

In those fleeting moments, I learned something very special about my teenage son's prayer life. It is real. It is honest. It is personal. He understands that no request is too big or too small for his Heavenly Father. That no matter how busy life may seem God always has time to listen to him. That every detail in his life has significance to God, even something as simple as basketball shoes.

After one hour, we found those perfect shoes. They were just the right size and just the right price. Not only that, they were a name brand too! What more could we have asked for. God was faithful and answered a young boy's simple prayer about basketball shoes.

As we headed home, I didn't have to ask my son to pray. He just automatically did as a natural response to his joyful heart. My heart was full of joy too because I knew that the feet that would walk in those shoes would also walk the road for Christ."

Leah's an amazing mom and a great writer, too, huh? I am so thankful she was willing to let me share her story with you today.I also wanted to let you know Leah is going for her physical today after her racing/pounding heart rate episode I posted about last week. Please pray for her and for the doctors to be able to determine what caused it. We'll keep you posted. Also, Leah sent me last week's winners. They are listed below in Sunday night's post.

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Today's Mom Give-Aways

A copy of George Barna's "Revolutionary Parenting" and a D6 Mom Tshirt.

To be part of today's give-away, click on "comments" below. PLEASE include your email so we can get in touch if you win. Thank you D6 for today's great give-aways!