Bryce’s Blessing

By Alice Beesley

(Based on an experience of the author’s family)

We believe in the gift of … healing (A of F 1:7).

“When are we going camping?” four-year-old Bryce asked as he sat at the kitchen counter eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

“In three more days,” Mother said.

Bryce frowned. “That’s a long time.”

Mother nodded. “Well, you can pack some of your toys and help me make cookies so the time will go faster.”

“Hurray!” Bryce hopped off the stool and ran to get his army men. Later, as he stirred the cookie dough, he said, “We’re going to roast hot dogs and marshmallows and sleep in a tent!”

“We sure are,” Mother agreed. Then she mussed his hair. He laughed.

The next morning Bryce slept in later than usual. At the breakfast table, he didn’t touch his toast and jam.

“Are you OK?” Mother asked.

“I’m tired,” he said.

He climbed off the chair and lay down on the couch with his blanket. Mother put her hand on his forehead. “You feel warm,” she said. “I hope you’re not getting sick.”

His stomach hurt. “If I get sick, we won’t be able to go camping, will we?”

“We’ll see,” Mother said.

Bryce slept most of the day. When Mother took his temperature, she said it was high. She gave him some syrupy medicine that tasted like cherries.

“What if I’m sick tomorrow?” he asked.

“Hopefully you’ll be better by then,” she said.

But that night Bryce’s temperature rose. He fell asleep and had bad dreams. Waking up scared and thirsty, he went into the kitchen to ask for a drink of water. Then he curled up in the recliner in the family room. Mother held up a cup of water to his lips. The cold liquid cooled his mouth and throat as he sipped it.

“Dad’s going to give you a blessing,” Mother said in a soft voice.

Bryce smiled faintly. “Good. Then my fever will go away.”

His parents smiled at each other. He fell back asleep and woke up in his bed when someone touched his shoulder lightly.

“We’re going to give you a blessing now,” Dad said.

One of their home teachers was standing by the bed.

“Are you going to put oil on my head?” Bryce asked. He had seen other family members receive blessings before, and Dad had put oil on their heads.

“Yes.” Dad opened a small bottle and put a drop of oil on top of Bryce’s head.

As Bryce lay on his bed, Dad and the home teacher placed their hands on his head. They gave him a blessing that the fever would break and he would be able to go camping in the morning. When they were done, Bryce fell back asleep. He woke up to see light shining through the cracks in the window blinds. He jumped out of bed and ran to find his dad in the kitchen.

“Am I better?” he asked.

Dad felt Bryce’s forehead. “Yes, the fever’s gone.”

Bryce ran to find Mother in her bedroom. “My fever’s gone! The blessing worked,” he said.

Mother hugged him. “I’m so glad. You had faith, and Heavenly Father blessed you.”

• Alice Beesley is a member of the River View Fifth Ward, Draper Utah River View Stake.

Illustrated by Julie F. Young