Gabriel's Prayer

Gabriel has gotten very good at saying prayers with the family, both in our daily prayers and before meals. In fact, the other day, Jeff and I were feeling very tense just after someone nearly hit us while we were driving. I was handling it okay at first, but then this driver waves her finger at us like WE were naughty children who did something wrong. So that got me worked up. Anyway, Jeff and I were upset and talking somewhat heatedly about it when Gabriel said, "Let's say a prayer!" and proceeded to pray. Boy, did that help me calm down!
This post is meant to be about what an example my 3 year old is to me, but not because of that specific incident. When Gabriel prays, he does it in such a special way. Many young kids get shy or don't know what to say, so they get some guidance from an adult. Not Gabriel. Gabriel simply starts listing things that he is thankful for. The list can get quite long, as he sometimes prays with his eyes open and lists everything he sees. But that's all he does before he ends the prayer. Every prayer he says is a prayer of nothing but gratitude.
I've noticed that, in my own prayers, I really try to express gratitude, but it seems to turn into a plea for the things I want nearly every time. I know that Gabriel probably isn't thinking as deeply about this as I am, but maybe that's just another lesson he's teaching me. We're supposed to become as little children, right? I think that the simplicity of his gratitude, even just listing everything he can think of, is so refreshing. He isn't thinking long and hard about the things he thinks he needs to make him happy. He's acknowledging how wonderful it is that he has what he has.
I'm a worrier. Worrying is pretty much all I do. I guess that's why my prayers are always pleas for what I think I need that will help me worry less. But when I listen to my son pray, I'm reminded that there's no room for worry when you fill your heart with gratitude.
I love both my kids and the one on the way. I love watching them grow into beautiful people. And, right now, I'm just grateful to be their mom.