Power of Prayer

It's not always what you say that sticks with me, it's what you do.  My parents realized early on that I learned by example and repetition.  As a small girl, I experienced many interrupted nights due to vivid nightmares.  Some nights I'd awake to my mom shaking me and softly saying, "It's just a dream, Sweetie, I'm here now."  Other nights I'd jolt into a sitting position and feel the puddle of sweat around me, still shaken from the images I'd been living out moments before.  While I can only remember a few of these terrifying dreams, I do remember how my mom solved the problem.  Each night before I would turn off the light and the dread of what was to come kicked in, my mom would pray with me.  She taught me that God cares about the little things in life, and He is in control even when we're fast asleep.  It wasn't long before the nightmares stopped their frequent visitations.  It was through her example and nightly ritual of praying for God's hedge of protection over her sleeping child that I learned the power of prayer.  Even in college, I would pray that God would control my thoughts and fears during the night, and He always did.