Let 'em Come!

Last night was a very biblical night for me. My children go through phases thinking my favorite Bible verse is Matthew 19:4, or that I need to practice it more!

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

It always seems to come in waves and pairs, never alone. I was in la la land, probably had been out for about 45 minutes, when the door to my room opens suddenly. Now for some reason, God has blessed Christie with the ability to sleep through almost anything. I on the other hand, I wake up to all the bumps and creaks in the night. My bed is also closest to the door!

So..... about 12:30 am the door opens and in comes child #1. "What's wrong", says papa. "My alarm clock went off and now I need you to come up and set it for the morning", said child #1. "Just go back to sleep and don't worry about it", replies papa in a soft voice, laden with disbelief over the importance of the midnight disturbance. That was it. Not so bad. I can go back to sleep pretty quick when I don't have to get up! And so I did.

Unfortunately, the door suddenly opens again about 3:30 am. At this point I'm at the peak of my 1st rem cycle, and it takes me a minute to discern if I'm dreaming. I wasn't! Child #2 was dreaming. So I scoot over and open up the covers just enough to let the little children come unto me, for such is the bedroom of parents. Being the light sleeper of the family, I can't go to sleep like that, but its ok. I hug. I hold close. I console. I monitor heart rate and breath rate. When the little one is deemed at peace with the world, I gently roll back the covers and exclaim, "time to go back to bed sweetie". Intending to give a night-night kiss and turn back over, the expected happened. Arms extended in the "carry me back up and tuck me back in please daddy" formation. What do you do?!?

My oldest starts middle school next year, and my youngest is already too old for t-ball. Time is fleeting and soon the door to my bedroom will never again open in the middle of the night! So......... I get up. I snuggle. I listen to the breathing and feel the heart beat. I love the heart beat!

Guess what? God's joy is the heart beat of his children as well. He knows when I'm afraid, and he waits for me to come running every time. He promises to draw us close to his heart and to drive away all fear, doubt, worry........ whatever is heavy in our lives. Draw near to him today!

BTW...... it was a swarm of bees that brought #2 running to daddy. I hate bees too!