There was a disastrous drought in Southern Carolina of the US some years ago, and much of the crops were lost. The state was declared a disaster area and, while the government was coming to the help of the farmers, all churches began to pray for the rains to come.

That night after church a mother was putting Jez, her little daughter to bed. She was saying her night prayers. The mother suggested that she pray for rain, but Jez refused. This puzzled her mother, so she tried several different ways of broaching the subject, but each attempt was firmly turned down. The mother couldn’t figure out why she was so insistent on refusing to pray for rain, so she came right out and asked her.

‘Mammy’ she replied,’
I have two dolls on a bench in the back-garden, and if you go out and take them in, I’ll pray for rain. Otherwise they will get wet and sick?
If she prayed for rain, she expected it to rain!

You could imagine Jesus saying ‘
Thank you, Jez for your faith, and for not doubting my promises.’

c/f/ Jack Mc Ardle, And that’s the Gospel truth, www.Columba.ie