God Said "No"
Submitted by: Kevin Chertkow

Out of all my children my three year old has been the most misbehaved child when daddy's not around. My oldest boy and girl never really acted out at daycare and school. They minded their manners and listened to instructions well. My second to the last boy, acted out occasionally but always has tried to please everybody. However, I think my youngest is going to be my challenge until he’s out of the house.

Just about every day I watch my first and second grader get on the school bus. Then I drive my three year old to daycare before I finally get to work. On my way to take my three year old to his daycare he surprised me when he told me, "Daddy, I wanna pray with you." "Okay, pal let’s pray," I said. I watch him in my rear view mirror. He bowed his head, closed his eyes very tight and I watched his lips move has he whispered something for a few minutes. After a few moments he raised his head and said "Amen." and so did I.

I picked him up after work and found out he was playing in the bathroom, not listening to the teachers and had some time outs for not listening. Of course we had another long talk on the way home about being a good listener. The next day his teacher said he was much better and showed me their prayer request board where every child can add a prayer request. My three year old had said he wanted his prayer request to be for him to be a better listener. "Great", I thought to myself. I gave him a big hug and told him how proud I was of him.

Well, it was short lived because the next day his teacher said he had to have a couple of time outs. I looked at him with disappointment and he lowered his head embarrassed. As we were driving home he said "Daddy, I wanna pray with you." I said "Okay," but he asked me to do say the prayer. So, I did. "Dear God, please let my best buddy Nathan be a better listener at school, not play in the bathroom, do what the teacher’s tell him to and just be an all around good boy. Could you do this for us? Amen." There was a moment of silence in the car then he spoke.

"God said no."

I knew right then, this is the child my parents cursed me with when they told me, "One day you're going to have a child just like you."