This is the fifth in a series by our writers and guests regarding spiritual gifts. We hope you enjoy our take on giving and receiving spiritually this Christmas season.

The baby was sick and had been up most of the night. In three hours, the big kids would be up and the day would begin.  I prayed as I stumbled from his bedroom back to mine, and in my sleep-deprived stupor I asked for a very explicit blessing. ”Please, Heavenly Father. Please. I only need 3 hours. That’s all. Just three straight hours. Please let him sleep for three hours…” 

I’ll be honest. I wasn’t expecting it to happen. There have been times, too many to count, when my prayers have not been answered in the way I asked for them. Some have never seemed answered. A lot of them have been straight up “nos” and “not at this times.”

For some, I imagine this would be proof that God does not exist, and for others it may be the beginning of turning away from Him. In fact, in the face of many prayers that have felt unanswered, I have had to ask this question many times: “Why, Cheryl, do you still believe?”

The answer is not complex. In truth, it’s quite simple. I have faith. Faith that what I’m doing is right, regardless of disappointment or grief or despair. Faith that my prayers are heard, even if they are not answered in the ways I feel I need or want. And I do know this: Heavenly Father loves me. Even to the point of intervening and giving me tender mercies, gifts of love founded upon my faith, and sometimes, in spite of my lack of faith.

I walked back to my bed that night, with that furtive prayer on my lips and in my heart. The clock read 4:32AM. I fell asleep immediately and when I awoke to the sound of my baby crying, it was 7:28AM. Three hours.

He gave me three hours.

• How has your faith blessed you? 
• How have your prayers been answered?