Chapter 1 · 2 min read · 2 min listen
Brown Eyes
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — from Psalm 139
On 16 December 1867, a baby girl was born in Millisle, a little village by the sea in the north of Ireland. Her name was Amy Beatrice Carmichael. She was the first of seven children, so she was the big sister in a busy, noisy house.
Amy’s father, David, was a miller who ran flour mills, like the men of his family before him. Her mother, Catherine, had a warm and steady faith. The family prayed together every day and kept Sunday as a special day for God. Amy learned that God hears our prayers, and she believed it with all her heart.
Amy was a lively, strong-willed girl. She loved the sea, the shore and the boats in the harbour, and she led her younger brothers into adventures. She was not a meek little girl, and she never grew up to be a meek woman!
Amy had brown eyes, and she wished they were blue. Many years later she told a story about it. One night she asked God to make her eyes blue. In the morning she ran to the mirror, sure that blue eyes would be looking back at her. They were still brown! Amy was disappointed. But she learned something she never forgot: God had heard her, and he had said no. No is an answer too.
People tell the story a little differently, and nobody is quite sure how old she was. But long afterwards, when Amy lived in India and wore Indian clothes, her brown eyes did not stand out. Many people who love her story say that God had a better answer in mind all along.
God made you on purpose, just the way you are. When he says no to a prayer, it does not mean he has stopped listening. You can trust him.
Dear God, thank you for making me just the way I am. Help me to trust you, even when your answer to my prayer is no. Amen.
Talk about it together
Ask the questions first — then tap one for a note for grown-ups.
Where was Amy Carmichael born?
In Millisle, a little village by the sea in the north of Ireland, on 16 December 1867. She was the eldest of seven children.
What did Amy pray for when she was small, and what happened?
She asked God to make her brown eyes blue. In the morning they were still brown, and she learned that God had heard her and said no.
Have you ever prayed for something and the answer was no?
Any honest answer is good here. The chapter’s point is that God made us just as we are, and that when he says no he is still listening and can be trusted.
Chapter 1 complete
Brown Eyes