Dear God,
I know that I've already said my prayers to you tonight when Mummy put me to bed, but Miss Sally at Sunday School said that I'm allowed to pray whenever I want. I hope you don't mind.
I have something really special I need to ask you. You don't have to do anything else for me, but can you please do this one?
Can you please bring my big brother back?
Tommy went away today, and I miss him terribly. Mummy told me that Tommy had been a bad boy and he had to go stay with Uncle Greg. We don't see Uncle Greg very often, but he's always nice to me. Last Christmas he and his friend Leon gave me a whole new outfit for my Barbie. Why does Tommy have to go there if he's been bad?
Did I do something wrong? Is my punishment having Tommy going away? I'm sorry if I did, but I don't know what it was that I did wrong. Please forgive me for whatever it is that I did. Just bring Tommy back. Please?
Tommy snuck in to see me earlier today. He told me that Mummy and Daddy were angry with him because he loves Brad. Is that why Mummy said he was a bad boy? Miss Sally said that you want us to love everyone. How come Mummy and Daddy are angry that Tommy is doing what you want?
I don't understand. I know I'm only a little girl, but I love my big brother and my big brother loves Brad. I like Brad too. He's always nice to me. Is Mummy and Daddy going to be angry at me too?
Tommy told me that Mummy and Daddy think that what he's doing is a sin. Miss Sally told us all about sin. How it's naughty and you shouldn't do it. If Tommy is not suppose to love Brad because it's a sin, should I stop loving Tommy, Mummy and Daddy too? I don't want to, but if loving someone can be a sin, I don't want to do that. I want to be a good girl.
I know I shouldn't have snuck out of bed last night, but I was scared at the noises I heard. I heard Daddy yelling at Tommy. That he didn't want a sinner in his house. He used a lot of other words too, but I don't know what they mean. Words like “Hobo” and “Aggot”.
Did I sin by sneaking out of bed? Does that mean I have to leave too? Please tell me that I don't have to go. I want to stay here with Mummy and Daddy. I love them. Oops. Sorry. If loving them is a sin, then I didn't mean that. I don't love them. I don't want to be a sinner and have to go. Just let me stay here.
Miss Sally said that you gave your son so everyone would be forgiven. That's what Easter is all about.
Can we have Easter early this year? That way Tommy can be forgiven and he can come home again. I want my big brother back.
I've just remembered. Miss Sally has been teaching us the Lord's Prayer.
Our Father, who is in heaven, Glory be to your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us today our daily food, and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen
Oops. That last Amen wasn't the end of this pray. I'm sorry if you thought I had finished, but I was just trying to remember the pray that Miss Sally taught us. She told us to say that at the end.
That pray says we have to forgive others. Is that what I'm supposed to do? Who am I supposed to forgive? Tommy teased me the other day, and I was very angry with him for a little while. I can forgive him for that. Can he come home now?
Or is Tommy supposed to forgive someone? If so, can you please tell him that I want him to do it? I don't like having him away.
God, can I talk with Jesus for a bit? I hope you don't mind.
Jesus, you said we have to love each other. Miss Sally said that means we have to love everyone, and we can't pick and choose. Is that right? I know that I don't really love Belinda next door. She's mean to me. Is this a test like God did to you? Am I supposed to love Belinda before Tommy can come home? I can do that, if you want me too.
But Tommy said that Mummy and Daddy are angry that he loves Brad. I heard Daddy saying it's a sin. Is it really a sin? Miss Sally said we have to love everyone, but Daddy told Tommy that he's not allowed to love Brad. Who is right? Can you tell me, or should I ask Miss Sally at Sunday School?
God, can I talk to you again?
I will do whatever you want me to. Just tell me what I'm supposed to do to make everything right again. I will be a really, really good girl. I promise.
Just bring my big brother back.
Please?
Oh, yeah. Amen. That's for real, this time.