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In just a few short weeks, we’ll be celebrating the 7th birthday of our twins.
Our twins are a living testament to how God answers very specific prayers. He's amazing at the details!
When I began my journey into motherhood, I discovered something about myself: I'm terrible at predicting the gender of my babies. We always kept it a surprise, allowing for that monumental pronouncement at birth: "It's a..." But that didn't stop me from guessing and, subsequently, being completely wrong every time.
God is big enough for every need, even the small and seemingly mundane.
My grandfather, on the other hand (whom we called Pap Pap), seemed to have a special God-given gift, at least where I was concerned. He accurately predicted every gender for my first four babies (without dangling a ring over my belly or determining if I was "carrying high or low"). By the fifth baby, I decided to align my prediction with his and was finally right!
I asked him to reveal his secret. How did he know? He told me that he prayed about it and even sometimes requested a particular gender. Then he continued ... "I'm going to ask God to send you twins: a boy and a girl." I was pretty enthused, as I had always wanted twins. I also thought it was pretty bold of him to ask for the specific genders.
My next baby wasn't twins, but Pap told me it was a girl, and it was. That was the last prediction he made, as we lost him very suddenly only months later.
Years later, as I lay on the ultrasound table, the technician announced that I was having twins. I cried. She asked if I would be okay. I think she thought I was having a nervous breakdown at the prospect of babies #9 and #10! "I'm just so happy," I said. "I feel so blessed. And I'm pretty sure I know the genders ... but don't tell me cause we like the surprise." She raised an eyebrow, but smiled at my excitement.
When they were finally born, I felt like I had been pulled into the heart of heaven. First they announced our son, who was a full pound heavier than his sister, who emerged shortly after. I named our son, James Vincent—Vincent for my grandfather—and I thanked God for showing me how attentive He is to our prayers.
In all honesty, I sometimes feel guilty or unworthy to ask for small, specific things, when I know so many people have intense crosses and are crying out to God for help. But God is big enough for every need, even the small and seemingly mundane. I had an aunt once ask for an affordable new couch. She even specified the color and God brought it to her within days.
I think God loves it when we ask him about things that may seem trivial or incredibly specific because it shows how connected we are to Him—that we direct the incessant flow of thoughts, ideas, hopes, and concerns towards Him, without excluding any of the details. It's a special union of our hearts and minds.
Anyone want to join me in praying for triplets ... hehe?
Stay with us Lord!
Mane Nobiscum Domine
Carissa
Carissa Douglas is a Canadian author and illustrator, known especially for her Little Douglings brand—a series for kids in which a group of children is sent on a mission by God with the assistance of a Saint. Carissa is the mom of 14, and a passionate promoter of the culture of life and all things related to this: our awesome Catholic faith. While her kids are busy with school work and projects, she spends her downtime writing stories and illustrating. To follow the adventures of the Little Douglings, visit them here.
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