SNUGGLING UP!
Bedtime is the best time to get to know what your children are thinking or worrying about or wanting to explore.
I snuggle up next to my two youngest sons, say our prayers and inevitably something very serious slips from their lips. Last night Zachary asked, "When children are poor, are they poor and poor and then they get rich and richer? Or are they poor and poor and poor and poorer?" "Depends," I said..."But if you stick with God, you'll always be rich in Love and faith." Not what he wanted to hear, but I use that line every chance I get.
As we talked about what was really on his mind, I wished I could protect him from all the worries of the world. But I've learned I cannot...no matter how hard I try-I cannot control the workings of the universe-or the people in it. I am powerless over so many mind boggling, bumbling mistakes...all of them-except my own.
One night Zack let out a litany of frustration as he closed his eyes, then said-"Now let's go to sleep. I'm tired." What could I do but hug him until he drifted into dreamland...where all his hopes and fears would somehow be resolved in the quiet of his slumbering mind.
For as long as I can remember, my five sons and I have snuggled under the covers together, watching TV or talking about our deepest desires. That's when our defenses are down and our hearts are free to wander through never never land-knowing we are safe from all the confusion that swirls around us every single day.
It's the little things we do that bring us-and others-the most comfort...But I know there will come a day-when my two youngest sons-like their brothers-will like their own space, hog their own beds and tell me they are just too old to hunker down and hang out under the covers watching late night TV and telling their deepest, darkest secrets.
But that's okay by me-because for now-I still have their undivided attention, their individual insights and their desire to delve into the mysteries of life...lying in bed, snuggling with their mom-who is thinking-"It doesn't get much better than this!"
I snuggle up next to my two youngest sons, say our prayers and inevitably something very serious slips from their lips. Last night Zachary asked, "When children are poor, are they poor and poor and then they get rich and richer? Or are they poor and poor and poor and poorer?" "Depends," I said..."But if you stick with God, you'll always be rich in Love and faith." Not what he wanted to hear, but I use that line every chance I get.
As we talked about what was really on his mind, I wished I could protect him from all the worries of the world. But I've learned I cannot...no matter how hard I try-I cannot control the workings of the universe-or the people in it. I am powerless over so many mind boggling, bumbling mistakes...all of them-except my own.
One night Zack let out a litany of frustration as he closed his eyes, then said-"Now let's go to sleep. I'm tired." What could I do but hug him until he drifted into dreamland...where all his hopes and fears would somehow be resolved in the quiet of his slumbering mind.
For as long as I can remember, my five sons and I have snuggled under the covers together, watching TV or talking about our deepest desires. That's when our defenses are down and our hearts are free to wander through never never land-knowing we are safe from all the confusion that swirls around us every single day.
It's the little things we do that bring us-and others-the most comfort...But I know there will come a day-when my two youngest sons-like their brothers-will like their own space, hog their own beds and tell me they are just too old to hunker down and hang out under the covers watching late night TV and telling their deepest, darkest secrets.
But that's okay by me-because for now-I still have their undivided attention, their individual insights and their desire to delve into the mysteries of life...lying in bed, snuggling with their mom-who is thinking-"It doesn't get much better than this!"
Comments