At 8:12 pm tonight my boys were both sleeping peacefully. 8:01 pm was a different story. Neither of my boys LOVE to go to sleep (that is one of the few things they haven't inherited from their father...). In fact, tonight as I read "Fankin" the Turtle to big brother, little brother wailed from his crib in the next room. The crying next door was not completely conducive to peaceful story-time, so I went in to console our little guy. There he was, standing up in his crib, fat tears rolling down his little cheeks and arms out for mama (how does one resist that?). His eyes were drooping with sleep but he was so sure he wanted to be awake. I cuddled him close and brought him out to finish story-time with brother. "Fankin" finds out he likes school after all and story-time is over. Now our big guy, eye-lids also drooping with sleep, is sure he wants to stay awake too and the wailing starts anew. I tuck him in, kiss him good-night and take the little one out to rock to sleep. It isn't long before both tired boys are in dreamland.
I suppose I could let them stay up until the cows come home and they fall asleep on the floor or in the middle of their blocks or while watching a movie. However, despite their protests, I put them to bed because I love them and desire what's best for them...good, refreshing sleep.
Sometimes, I do a lot of protesting too. I complain and wail and want it my way. I question God and the wisdom of His plans. I worry about the future and try to figure it all out. But God keeps reminding me of one outstanding thing. He loves me. He LOVES me. Our children don't always understand why we have bedtimes, or time-outs, or limits on junk food but we make decisions based on our love for them and what we think is best for them.
If you are in a time of indecision, fear, anxiety, doubt or even anger at God. Let this one word stay fixed in your heart - love. You may not be able to understand or even fathom what is going on around you, but know that God LOVES you and wants your best, always.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Do not depend on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways remember him.
Then he will make your paths smooth and straight. Proverbs 3:5
I suppose I could let them stay up until the cows come home and they fall asleep on the floor or in the middle of their blocks or while watching a movie. However, despite their protests, I put them to bed because I love them and desire what's best for them...good, refreshing sleep.
Sometimes, I do a lot of protesting too. I complain and wail and want it my way. I question God and the wisdom of His plans. I worry about the future and try to figure it all out. But God keeps reminding me of one outstanding thing. He loves me. He LOVES me. Our children don't always understand why we have bedtimes, or time-outs, or limits on junk food but we make decisions based on our love for them and what we think is best for them.
If you are in a time of indecision, fear, anxiety, doubt or even anger at God. Let this one word stay fixed in your heart - love. You may not be able to understand or even fathom what is going on around you, but know that God LOVES you and wants your best, always.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Do not depend on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways remember him.
Then he will make your paths smooth and straight. Proverbs 3:5
For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only Son. John 3:16a
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