Scene playing at my daughter’s house tonight: Worn out child #2 in room, tired but fighting the rest she so desperately needs. It’s been a long day, full of laughter, good food, a movie, and game time with Momma and Grammie. Now it’s past her bedtime, and even after the normal bedtime ritual of a story and song with cuddles, she is overstimulated and cranky. Momma has taken to the sofa, silent to the little girl’s pleas for her to hear and come placate her. Wise Momma waits patiently, ever aware of angelface’s cries, but in the work of training this child, allows her to shout out in angst, shed tears, and vent her frustrations.
I hear the wisdom of my Heavenly Father roll off her tongue, as she reassures her. “I love you. It’s time to rest. Lie down and go to sleep.” Then, she is quiet, and she waits for daughter to wear herself out with groaning. The cries grow louder and more insistent, and she resists the urge to run to her and coddle her. Patiently she endures the wailing, knowing this time of training, hard as it is, will make the next one a little easier. The goal is to teach this child to discipline herself. One day, she will be equipped with the coping skills she needs to remind herself of the things she knows. Mom loves me, it’s been a long day, it’s time to rest…and she will fall asleep without the fight.
And as my own Father waits patiently for my cries to subside, his words echo in my mind, I love you. Trust Me. Rest; And I am reassured that He is not absent, or deaf to my cries. He is just quiet while He patiently waits for me to quit fighting and obey.
New Things 