And she asks, nearly every night, "are you staying up for a little bit?". Some nights it frustrates me, she knows the answer and yet, every night, just after the prayers are said she asks, "are you staying up for a little bit?"
I remember feeling that same way. I remember being her age, laying in bed listening to the TV, "my parents shows", I remember hearing the soft tone, the inflection in their quiet conversation. I remember, at her age, feeling safe with my parents awake. I remember the way falling asleep felt knowing they were watching over the house, and I suppose, my sleeping body. Nothing could hurt me if they were awake.
A few months ago her daddy asked me why she does this, it was getting on his nerves also. I asked him to let it be, I did the same thing at her age, it's reassuring, it's safety and if that's all she needs to sleep soundly - unafraid then every night we will allow the question that always comes.
Tonight they (the hubbie and the kids) stayed out late. The boy went to bed as soon as they walked in. The girl, though, wanted prayers for her dreams. I took it a moment further and asked her to sit up with me. I asked her about her time tonight, I held her really tight and kissed the top of her head... I stroked her hair and when it was time to say her prayers she was happy. As I ushered her off to bed, I said, before she could ask, "We will be staying up for a bit." and with a smile she went off to bed.
For months we've gone on allowing her to ask but tonight it hit me. All along, we, as her parents, should have reassured her with our actions and speak. We can easily leave a night light on, we can easily pray for dreams and lock up the house. But darkness always comes. Night always comes. The fear that sets in, hard, in the middle of your core - that comes... it's enough sometimes to know someone is staying up for a little bit, to watch over, to lock up, to turn the light on, to come and check in, to pull the blanket up a little tighter and to say a prayer over a precious head long after they have fallen asleep.
Safety and reassurance. Prayers and a night light. Staying up long after the house has gone to bed.
I remember feeling that same way. I remember being her age, laying in bed listening to the TV, "my parents shows", I remember hearing the soft tone, the inflection in their quiet conversation. I remember, at her age, feeling safe with my parents awake. I remember the way falling asleep felt knowing they were watching over the house, and I suppose, my sleeping body. Nothing could hurt me if they were awake.
A few months ago her daddy asked me why she does this, it was getting on his nerves also. I asked him to let it be, I did the same thing at her age, it's reassuring, it's safety and if that's all she needs to sleep soundly - unafraid then every night we will allow the question that always comes.
Tonight they (the hubbie and the kids) stayed out late. The boy went to bed as soon as they walked in. The girl, though, wanted prayers for her dreams. I took it a moment further and asked her to sit up with me. I asked her about her time tonight, I held her really tight and kissed the top of her head... I stroked her hair and when it was time to say her prayers she was happy. As I ushered her off to bed, I said, before she could ask, "We will be staying up for a bit." and with a smile she went off to bed.
For months we've gone on allowing her to ask but tonight it hit me. All along, we, as her parents, should have reassured her with our actions and speak. We can easily leave a night light on, we can easily pray for dreams and lock up the house. But darkness always comes. Night always comes. The fear that sets in, hard, in the middle of your core - that comes... it's enough sometimes to know someone is staying up for a little bit, to watch over, to lock up, to turn the light on, to come and check in, to pull the blanket up a little tighter and to say a prayer over a precious head long after they have fallen asleep.
Safety and reassurance. Prayers and a night light. Staying up long after the house has gone to bed.
He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
Psalm 121:3-5
Psalm 121:3-5
Dear Heavenly Father,
I just praise you for this day. I praise you for life you give and the provision you have made for every living thing. I praise you for not growing weak or weary as man does, as I do. Lord, I thank you for the questions my children ask, I thank you for their little lives. You have truly blessed me more than I have ever deserved. Lord, I am so thankful to hear your voice when my daughter asks... "will you stay up for a little bit?" I thank you that I am able to answer, yes my dear child, I will stay up. I will watch over you... I will pray for your dreams and leave the light on... but also that I can say... and when I go off to sleep God's taking over - in fact, He had it more than I ever could all along. Praise you Father for that blessing... He who keeps you will not slumber. The Lord is her keeper, my keeper, our keeper. A wonderful blessing.
Amen
I just praise you for this day. I praise you for life you give and the provision you have made for every living thing. I praise you for not growing weak or weary as man does, as I do. Lord, I thank you for the questions my children ask, I thank you for their little lives. You have truly blessed me more than I have ever deserved. Lord, I am so thankful to hear your voice when my daughter asks... "will you stay up for a little bit?" I thank you that I am able to answer, yes my dear child, I will stay up. I will watch over you... I will pray for your dreams and leave the light on... but also that I can say... and when I go off to sleep God's taking over - in fact, He had it more than I ever could all along. Praise you Father for that blessing... He who keeps you will not slumber. The Lord is her keeper, my keeper, our keeper. A wonderful blessing.
Amen
Sleep well my dear friends... xo
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