Praying the Alphabet

"While walking through the woods one day, I was surprised to hear a child's voice. I followed the sound, trying in vain to understand the child's words. When I spotted a boy perched on a rock, I realized why his words had made no sense: he was repeating the alphabet. 'Why are you saying your ABCs so many times?' I asked him. The child replied, 'I'm saying my prayers?' I couldn't help but laugh. "Prayers? All I hear is the alphabet.' Patiently the child explained, 'Well, I don't know all the words, so I give God the letters. God knows what I'm trying to say.'"

This precious story stunned me when I first heard it, yet again reminding me of the wisdom of children. I am surrounded by grandchildren these days, and even in the chaos, their little voices share wisdoms that shock me. Today I will listen more carefully and savor their precious words. I won't remember the chaos just the beauty of their pure perceptions.

ABCDEFG...