First grade was a notable year for me. I learned to read, and I was introduced to Mr. Bunsen the Rabbit, who got into all sorts of adventures.<\/p>\n
One night I finished up my homework and got into my pajamas. Then I got down on my knees to say my prayers. Reading was new for me, but I was an old hand at praying. I\u2019d been going to church since before I could talk.<\/p>\n
Momma said going to church was one of the most important things a person could do, so if the doors were open we were there. I knew God listened to all our prayers, both in church and at home. And tonight I had a very special prayer to make. \u201cI want a rabbit of my own,\u201d I said. \u201cI promise I\u2019ll take real good care of him. I\u2019ve got plenty of room for him. I won\u2019t let him get into any scrapes as bad as Mr. Bunsen does. And don\u2019t worry about Buzzard. He\u2019s a bird dog. He likes rabbits just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
When I was under the covers Momma came in to kiss me good night. \u201cWhat did you pray for?\u201d she asked, tucking me in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI prayed for a rabbit,\u201d I said. \u201cA rabbit of my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Momma didn\u2019t seem to think my prayer was quite right. \u201cNow, Van,\u201d she said, \u201cthat\u2019s not the kind of thing we pray for. Things for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d I said, but my mind was full of rabbits. It was too late. I\u2019d said my rabbit prayer, and I knew God heard it. Even if Momma didn\u2019t think it was a proper prayer.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t bring it up again with her the next morning. Nor did I tell any of my friends about it at school. I just waited for God\u2019s answer. When I got home Momma was at the door. \u201cI\u2019ve got something to show you,\u201d she said. I followed her into the utility room. Buzzard trailed behind me. Momma reached into a shoebox on the washing machine and pulled out something small and furry. It wiggled in her hand. A baby rabbit!<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly this morning I came out to do some washing,\u201d she said. Her voice was hushed, the way she sounded when she talked about miracles. \u201cBuzzard came in and laid this wild baby rabbit at my feet.\u201d Momma put the little rabbit in my hands. \u201cGod answered your prayer,\u201d she said, mystified. \u201cI guess God does answer rabbit prayers after all!\u201d<\/p>\n
Truth be told, I didn\u2019t understand that a miracle had happened. I\u2019d never doubted God would give me a rabbit, so I wasn\u2019t surprised that it came in a bird dog\u2019s mouth. It made a big impression on Momma, however. After that day, whenever she wanted to remind us God loved us, she\u2019d say, \u201cRemember the rabbit prayer.\u201d Momma told the story to my own children to teach them just what faith can do.<\/p>\n
But when Momma died, my rabbit prayer faith seemed to die with her. She and Daddy were just starting to enjoy retirement. I felt like God had betrayed me and I was angry. Too angry to pray about anything.<\/p>\n
The day of Momma\u2019s funeral the family gathered at her house. I sat in the corner, away from all the talk of heaven and the joy Momma must have found there among the angels. Joy I couldn\u2019t share. My brother-in-law, David, a minister, arrived at the house. He\u2019d gone by the cemetery to see if the grave was ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very peaceful spot,\u201d he assured us. \u201cIn fact, somebody\u2019s already moved into it. Remind me to speak to the attendant before the funeral about the baby rabbit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA what?\u201d I said, the words cutting through my anger. \u201cWhat do you mean? What rabbit? Where?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDown in the bottom of the grave at the cemetery.\u201d<\/p>\n
This I had to see. And sure enough, there he was. No bigger than the rabbit Buzzard laid at Momma\u2019s feet all those years before. I gathered him up in my hands. Remember the rabbit prayer, I could hear Momma say.<\/p>\n
I took the rabbit back with me to Momma\u2019s house and held him for a long time, welcoming back that same faith I\u2019d had in first grade, when God\u2019s love was as real as Momma\u2019s and miracles happened every day. <\/p>\n