Ashton’s Prayer for Snow
I want to apologize for not posting a blog last month. I really had to pause and ponder what’s happening with our Deaf and hard of hearing children around the world. I felt I needed to pause and take some time to process.
This is going to be about me and my 4-year-old son, Ashton. Perhaps many of you don’t know he is Unilaterally Deaf. This means he can hear with one ear, not the other.
I am really touched by this conversation I had with Ashton. I had to share…
Snow Day!!
Ashton loves snow. On the afternoon of April 20, it snowed. A lot. My boys were thrilled and went outside to play in the snow. Then, the next morning the whole neighborhood was full of snow.
I picked Ashton up from school in the afternoon. As soon as we entered the neighborhood, Ashton waved at me – I looked at the rear view mirror and saw Ashton signing, “Mom! Where’s the snow? Why has the snow melted?!”
I was explaining to him that we had sunny weather and it caused the snow to melt. It’s how it works. The sun is very warm and melts the snow. Just like ice taken out of the freezer melts because the air is warm. But if you put the ice back in the freezer, it freezes again in different sizes.
Ashton started to cry, “But mom, I want to see snow!”
“I know, honey. God controls the weather. He is the creator of science. It’s how it works. The snow has melted because of the sun – it has heat and it causes snow to melt. That’s how science works.”
God’s in charge.
Ashton cried. I could see he was upset. Even though it seems like no big deal, it is to him. It’s a big deal to him. The creation of snow is a big deal.
“Ashton, we can pray and ask God to give us snow. Let’s pray together. ‘God, give us snow.’ “
I have to admit I thought, “oh my goodness, this is impossible. The sky is clear and blue. Maybe I shouldn’t pray like that with my 4-year-old boy who always takes my word for things. I’m not sure if this is a good idea. I caught myself feeling doubt as a mother and a Christian. I had doubts if God would answer our prayers. I am fully aware that God created 4 seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. In the book, “Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge” the author states that:
We are on a planet that is rotating on its axis at 1,000 miles per hour. Like clockwork, it makes one full revolution every 24 hours. And if that isn’t amazing enough, planet Earth is moving around the sun at speeds approaching 67,000 miles per hour!
Mark Batterson, Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge
God is the one who keeps the planets in orbit. He is the one who keeps Earth rotating. He is the one who commands the clouds to give snow, rain, and lighting. But then I thought of the story of Ezekiel who asked for a rain after it hadn’t rained for 3 ½ years. I also thought of Joshua who asked God to cause the sun and the moon to stay still. God honored their prayers. I hope God will honor my little boy’s prayer.
We pulled in the driveway and about 30 minutes later, I saw a thick cloud start to come out of the blue and start to snow. I was surprised because it was a clear blue sky.
I ran to get Ashton, “Look! God answered our prayer! It’s snowing!” We ran outside to our backyard, “Yay! It’s snowing!” Ashton said, and he gave me a big hug. My heart melted with thanksgiving for God’s creation.
Most nights, Ashton and I would discuss the sun, moon, stars, and planets. I engage him with the stories of the first 7 days of God’s creation and how God knows the name of every star in the galaxy. Ashton and I would pray together. We would give thanks to God. Ashton always gives thanks for each person who is part of his life. He would thank God for his family, his grandparents, his teacher, and his friends. He inspires me with his simple prayers – A thanksgiving of God’s image bearers.
Mom’s Challenge
I have to be honest. As a Deaf mom, I find myself asking God often to give me directions and wisdom on how I can teach my children about the Almighty God. I feel awkward and I’m not sure where to start and, how do I do this?
I have never received advice from parents or a model from parents on how to teach children about Jesus. Let me make a point of this: We have a majority of deaf people worldwide (over 98%) who have never heard of Jesus. So, this kind of example on how to raise children in sign language is almost impossible to find.
We have some resources on bible study and how to study the bible, but we do not have anything such as sharing with parents on how to teach children to know God, follow God, and serve God.
Most bible stories are very abstract to deaf people because they grew up with no knowledge of who Christ is. They are unlike hearing people who grow up having access to radios, Sunday school, resources at home, etc.
So, for me, I wonder, how do I do this? My deaf parents never taught me about Jesus because they were never taught about Jesus when they were young. They were deprived of sign language. This is how I feel as a mom. I want to teach my children about Jesus (Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:19), but how do I do this with so few ASL resources out there?
I am aware that as a mom, it is my responsibility to raise my children in the way God wants them to go. So, I doubt myself as a mother. How do I do this?
A Moment to Teach
So, this conversation I had with Ashton and seeing God move mountains in response to our prayers are very encouraging. I am able to connect with God’s creation and a teaching moment with my son that God answers impossible prayers.
I hope this blog encourages you to know that you are not alone. I am in the same boat as you. If you have a story about something like this, please share and I will post your story to encourage others. Together, we can develop resources for all parents of deaf and hard-of hearing children.
Reference:
Batterson, Mark. Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge. Zondervan. 2012. Pg. 21
Tanya Polstra Email: Tanya@silentblessings.org Video phone (VP) number: 317-343-8596 Front Office: 317-288-0757 (v)
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