Her Dad brought home a rabbit today. I should've expected it. She did. Why not? Hadn't she been praying for a rabbit for the last year and a half? I should have known. We've experienced Jerita's prayers before. Like the day we brought Marisa home from the hospital. Jerita promptly thanked God for her new baby sister, then added, ''When this baby isn't a tiny baby anymore, please give us another one.''
When Joel was born just sixteen months later, Jerita quickly took the credit, on the theory that she was the one who had been praying for a baby ever since she had first gotten to hold Marisa.
Then there were the cats. The first two she got without praying. When we moved, Rueben refused to go with us. Rueben Two had a fatal accident.
''Mother, When can I have another kitten?''Jerita asked.
''No more,''I said firmly. and I meant it!
''I would take very good care of it,'' she said softly.
''I know, honey, but there are too many dogs around here. We live too close to the road--''
''If God gave me a cat, you'd let me keep it?'' She interrupted.
''I guess so,'' I answered reluctantly.
''Then I will ask God for a big cat that can fight dogs, and it will be a housecat that won't go in the road.''
Two months later, Jerita came running in carrying a huge frightened cat.''Her name is Polly,''she said.
''I'm not going to have a cat around named polly,''Don said.
''But, Dad,'' Jerita answered,''I named her Polly a long time ago.''
Needless to say,Polly was a pregnant housecat, big enough to fight off dogs!
If I were answering her prayers, I don't think I'd give the same answers that God does. There was the time that Tom and Larry wanted to sell their electric train. When she learned that they had actually gone so far as to run a newspaper ad, she was horrified.''But if you don't want it, I do,''she pleaded.''I never yet got to play with it.''
When the boy continued with their plans, she was dismayed. People began calling, saying they would be right out to look at the train. Jerita thought for a moment.''There's just one thing to do,'' she announced.''I'm going right up to my room and pray that they don't buy it. Better yet, I'm just going to pray that nobody comes. Because if they did come, they'd like it so well, they'd buy it.''
We set the train up on the living room floor and waited hopefully. But none of those people ever came! We'd have the train yet if Tom hadn't come up with a bright idea.''The only way we'll ever get rid of it,'' he said, ''is to let her play with it until she's good and tired of it.''
Just before school started Jerita came in complaining. ''I really don't like living here at all.''
''Why not?''I asked her.
Because I don't have any friends.''
''I thought you had been praying about that.''
''I did. Over and over.'' She took time to lick a frosting bowl, then asked,''May I go for a walk?''
She and Marisa were gone a long time. When they came back they were chattering like a couple of excited blue jays.''Mother,''Jerita shouted, ''I made some friends. Cindy and Jimmy. And they have horses!''
Later I heard her telling God thank you for Cindy and Jimmy and their horses and the lovely flower she saw on her way. I also heard her repeat an old request, but in a slightly differnent form.''Father, ''she said, ''I'm so glad you gave me Cindy for a special friend. Now I'll know how to take care of my horse when you give it to me.''
I met Cindy a few days later when she came to admire our new baby. ''I wouldn't have the first idea what to do with a baby,''Cindy said.
''The first thing you do when you have a new baby sister,''Jerita answered, ''is to go off by yourself to some quiet place and tell God thanks for such a wonderful thing.''
She's been praying for that horse long enough. Almost as long as she prayed for the rabbit. I wouldn't be surprised. If I had any sense, I'd probably go out and fix up the old barn and mend the broken pasture fence. I ought to expect it. Jerita does. When I reminded her that God won't always say yes, she looked so surprised.
''I think he'll say yes this time, anyway. Because I always send my prayers straight to God, with all my love.''

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