By Larry Reinhold

“Peeease?? Peeease??” Numerous times each day we hear this polite “peeease” (“please” for those who are not familiar with the language of a toddler) from our little boy, Danny. We have long stressed the need to say please and thank you to our children, but we are truly impressed by this little fella’s grasp of “pease” and “gawku” (thank you).

What makes it fun and interesting is what he says “pease” for. We hear the common phrases of “juice pease” and “outside, pease” or one of my favorites – “booull, pease” as he brings me a cattle magazine or a Hereford catalog to look at. But quite often he will be standing on the stairs ready to jump and from his lips, “Pease”. Or we will be walking by the arena as we check heifers, as this is calving season, and with no fear he attempts to climb the fence to be with those expectant mamas or newborn calves and once again as you intercept him on his journey, he says sweetly, “Pease”.

It has become obvious that Danny’s politeness must not overcome our responsibility in caring for him and doing our best to keep him from harm’s way. This does not always meet his approval and when we respond by redirection or even asking him to stay put, “gawku” is at times replaced by his little boy tantrums. He does not understand that we want the best for him and that he is not always the best judge of that, at this age of nearly two.

For years, I have known that God answers prayers, but with the role of parenting and especially of late with our little Danny, I think I am grasping a better understanding. Sometimes the answer is plain to see and immediate. Sometimes it is plain as well, but not what I expect or desire, but it is an answer nevertheless. And then sometimes His answers are to be patient, followed by the tantrums, which, with age become somewhat more sophisticated but yet as childish. Waiting on the Lord’s timing has proven to be a learning experience as well as rewarding.

Last night as Robin put our little partner to bed, she gently lay him in his crib with a Pooh Bear on each side. As she walked through the door, she heard him say, “Mom, Mom!”

Robin returned to his bedside as he motioned to his blanket. She reached down with that motherly touch and gently pulled his soft cuddly blanket up to his chin and his last word for the night was, “Gawku, Mom.”

“Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”