Today’s guest post comes from Jennifer Deibel of This Gal’s Journey. Ever since she began commenting at TOL, Jen has been a cheerful encouragement to me. It’s my pleasure now to share her honest, encouraging thoughts with you. –Tamara
(What’s up with all the guest posts around here lately?)
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We live in a small village in Western Ireland. It’s quaint, quiet, removed. For a girl who grew up in the Arizona desert, the lush green grass, rolling hills and copious amounts of water are like chocolate to this mama’s soul: both comforting and seriously addicting. We moved here with our children nearly three years ago and I have loved nearly every minute of it.
While we are here and I am raising my wee tribe, teaching them how to bite their husband’s head off love their neighbor and live for themselves follow God, I often find them teaching me. Shocker.
Every night at bedtime, we read a story together and then pray. We typically make sure we thank God for at least one thing and ask Him to help us with at least one thing. Nearly every night, my four-year-old asks God, “And could you please make tomorrow with a little bit of rain and a little bit of sun. In Jesus’ name, amen.” (You do know adding that little phrase at the end is what guarantees your prayer will be answered, right?) Anyway.
Did I mention we have copious amounts of water here? That’s probably because it rains. A lot. No, seriously, it rains all the freaking time. It didn’t get to be the land of 40 shades of green by bathing in the sun 300 days a year. It’s not unusual for us to not see the sun for five or six days in a row. It’s also not unusual to hear my children praying at nighttime for God to please, please, please let there be sun tomorrow so they can play outside/go on their field trip/not get soaked getting from the house to the car.
There have been several times where He’s answered their prayers with a resounding “Yes!” And it’s so fun to see and hear their squeals of excitement when they realize that God really did hear them. However, there have been countless other times where He, for whatever reason (probably something lame like the balance of the global ecosystem or something), has decided to answer “No,” and we wake to rain. Again.
So, my little girl’s prayer for a “little bit of rain and a little bit of sun” was a bit confusing to me. At first I thought she might think her prayer stood more chance of being answered if she was willing to deal with both sides of the coin. Or maybe she just wanted enough sun to be able to play outside at recess. Finally, I asked her why she kept asking for that. She looked at me with her haunting, ice-blue eyes and stated matter-of-factly, “So He can make a rainbow for me.” With that tone only four-year-olds can make sound cute, that how-dumb-are-you-but-I’ll-be-nice-and-explain-it-anyway tone.
Be still my heart.
My sweet little girl was praying for a rainbow. All at once, a flood of pictures came to my mind of all the rainbows we’d seen in the last month. I remembered how with each one her joy and excitement took her bounding and bouncing all around the house/car/yard whenever she saw one. I never quite understood why she got so excited. I just thought, “This kid really likes rainbows.” Now I understand. She knows her Daddy loves her because He gives her rainbows. So, she asks Him for more. And He gives more. And she opens up to Him more. And He dotes on her more. See the cycle?
Sometimes I think I have it all figured out with my “Oh, Lords” and “If it’s Your wills” and “In Jesus’ Names.” But I miss out so much on just enjoying my Father, basking in His love for me. No, I don’t bask. I doubt. And refuse. And push away. But I want to be more like my four-year-old. I want to pray for rainbows.
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Jen is your typical American wife and mother living life, raising kids, and working, only she’s doing it in Ireland. She has been married to the love of her life, Seth, for 11 years and is extremely blessed to be mom to two delightful little girls and one hilarious little man. Jen passionately loves the Lord, her family, music, dance, writing, coffee and chocolate (not always in that order).
She writes at This Gal’s Journey and you can find her on Twitter and Facebook.
I think sometimes God gave me my kids to have direct line to my ear. I imagine He looked down and said “Wow, that one has a hard head I need to send him some perspective.”
Thanks for letting us in your world.
Ha!! Yes, same here. The majorly deep things they pick up on, that I totally miss, is astounding and deeply humbling. And I shudder to think of what my life would be like without them!
” All at once, a flood of pictures came to my mind of all the rainbows we’d seen in the last month.”
Nice (unintentional?) pun there. =)
This was beautiful. I’m going to think about what my rainbow is today and pray for that.
Thanks so much, Adrian! And, yes, that pun was a happy accident! Er, I mean, I labored for hours to get just the right subtle humor…yeah, that’s it…
I’d love to hear what your rainbow turns out to be!!
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I do love a good rainbow… at least someone keeps their promises.
Darn tootin’!!
This is so, so precious, Jen. I love it! Oh, that I would be mindful of the ways God dotes on me daily. Thank you for this reminder.
(See? I told you you had nothing to worry about!)
Thanks, friend!!
through a child’s eyes and heart – Amen
And I totally get the rain thing – I’ve been chasing rainbows
and dodging raindrops in Scotland since 93!
Oh wow, how cool!! What part?? I’ve driven through lots of Scotland, but only spent time up in the islands near Skye.
Beautiful.
And also–I have a 4-year-old too, and I, uh, needed this reminder right now. (That’s supposed to be the nice way of saying she’s been driving me batty!) Thanks
Thanks, Anne. And, yes, today has been one of “those” days with my kiddos, too. I get the feeling there’s lots of things He’s trying to tach me through these wee ones.
I needed this reminder for the same reason Anne did!
Jen, this is such a precious story. Thank you for capturing this mama/daughter moment in words and sharing it with the rest of us. Oh, to have my daughter’s heart! Maybe I should chill out on all the “gentle” “instruction” for a while and just sit back and learn from her.
Oh, Amanda, I hear ya!! I definitely tend to push my perfectionistic nature onto the kids. And I’m learning that truly benefits no one!!
Oh goodness. That was beautiful. I don’t have children, but I do have a six-year old sister, and I could imagine her saying something similar, asking Jesus for a rainbow. I was in Ireland not too long ago and adored Western Ireland. My fascination is majorly bordering on jealousy now
Haha!! Ireland has a way of getting under your skin, that’s for sure!! I’d love to know where in the west you visited. We can see the Aran Islands from our living room window.
We stayed out on Inishmore! And in Galway, Clifden, etc. I had this idea to visit a new country every year, but I stupidly began with Ireland, which means I only want to revisit Ireland every year now. Enjoy it.
Awesome! Some of the best places in the country!
but, if you didn’t make it to the Giant’s Causeway up in the North, you definitely have to come back!!
Jen, thank you for sharing this sweet reminder to come to our God with trusting hearts.
Thank you, Tamara, for letting me come hang out here with you and your awesome readers!
Wow, her words gave me chills. Kids are so AMAZING, innocent with God’s love for them. I’m in awe, truly.
Beautiful post Jennifer!!
Thank you, Elaine! My kids give me chills regularly!
I’m jealous of your living situation. I’ve dreamed of visiting Ireland my whole life. My grandparents were born and raised in Cork County. I’ve not been able to go yet, but I will. Someday.
Your post was great. It’s always humbling to be reminded of what childlike faith looks like. Thanks for that.
Ah, good ole Cork.
that’s a fair piece away from us, but beautiful still. 
Thanks for the kind words! It’s always a little scary putting your heart out for the world to read.
How revolutionary that we should live in expectation of God’s blessing.
Beautiful.
If only the Bible had something to say about that…
I live in Hawaii, the land of rainbows. Seriously. We have sun showers ALL THE TIME. It’s amazing.
I read “Heaven Is For Real” last year, and in it, the sweet little boy who claims he’s been to Heaven and met our Maker describes Heaven as being FULL of rainbows.
And I totally get it.
Hawaii is the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived. I feel God’s amazing presence everywhere I go. Every single view is gorgeous. On the gloomiest of rainy days, Hawaii is beautiful (when it pours these spontaneous waterfalls rush down the cracks of the mountain faces).
Hawaii is a very Christian state, as well. God’s love is celebrated and felt everywhere, and amazing things happen. Last year the destructive tsunami from Japan miraculously bypassed Hawaii – causing more damage on the coast of Cali than it did here.
How sweet that an innocent child would wish for rainbows. Ones of God’s most lovely creations. They’re so special because they don’t last long. You can’t catch a rainbow. If someone you met had never seen a rainbow before, you’d just have to describe it as best you can and they’d have to take your word for it until they saw it themselves.
In many ways, rainbows are a lot like faith.
Love this guest post!!!
Wow! I really got chills reading this. I had totally forgotten about that part in the book. Who would’ve thought having faith like a child would be so hard for us grown ups, eh??
Childlike faith so refreshes me. I love this post for doing that! I love when God and His world and His love are seen through such unadulterated eyes. Pun intended =)
Well, faith lasts a very long time!
I meant that rainbows aren’t tangible, and they only appear – they aren’t like a rock or something.
I’ve often been amazed at the perspective my children have on things. So refreshing! Wonderful post, Jen!
Thank you so much, Larry! Yeah, my kids never seem to cease to amaze me (or freak me out ha!).
Beautiful post Jen, thanks so much for sharing. With all the ‘rain’ that comes in life we sometimes forget about the rainbows that follow. Thank you for the reminder to look up, look out and see the beauty.
Thank you! Funnily enough, the fist half of my week was one that found me struggling to look for the rainbows. Last night, He gave me a huge one.
He’s so good.
My children are proof of two things (for sure):
God has a sense of humor, &
I have so much to learn before leaving Earth–because they teach me, often painful things, everyday.
Also, as an Arizona resident for the past 34+ years, I wouldn’t mind some rain.
Hey! A fellow desert rat! You don’t “meet” too many folks from the state that brings you the surface – er – valley of the sun.
And I still love the rain! People here think I’m nuts. Ha!
And, oh yeah, my kids leave me humbled daily!
Very sweet! It reminded me of when I prayed for rainbows (and a pirate ship) when I was there. God answered both prayers (I have picture proof).
I will never, ever forget that.
that moment spoke to me, too, friend!