So its 1:15 at my house, and all is quiet on the frontier. Ahhh mommy's time for a peaceful maybe 2 hour (if im lucky) bliss. Then the enemy approaches. Choo-Choo as it comes roaring down the track. My almost 3 yr old son, Brayden, is sleeping ever so peacefully. Hear more Choo-Choo's. Now i hear that dreaded "Mama! Choo-Choo get me". So what was my once peaceful bliss worth of 2 hrs has now been destroyed by the enemy.
So of course super-mom to the rescue. I tell Bryaden, that the choo-choo is on its way home to see its mommy and indeed to take the same nite-nite as he was taking. Now i am not one to coddle my kids. My mother actually informs me that i am a little too tough with the whole "tough love approach" and that indeed i should be a little bit more soft. Hmmm, ill think about it!
So when my 3 yr old asks me to 'lay pillow with me mama', what is one to do but say yes. This is by far not the norm for me. I have a million and one things to do today to get ready for all the company that is coming to my house to spend the night for his 3rd birthday party on Sunday. I still have to make the food, vaccum the rugs, do the laundry, sweep and mop the floor, not to mention get all my junk together for track practice today and find time in their to work my online job. So laying on the hard carpeted floor at 1:30 is not the ideal spot for me at this very minute.
So i grab a pillow, lay beside the toddler bed, close my eyes, and pretend to "sleep", occasionally slowly opening one eye to make sure the little devil is actually attempting to try to take a nap, now that he is rip roaring ready to go thanks to the enemy. So as i lay there, and my breathing slowly starts to calm down and i relax, i hear this small voice, 'Be still and know that I am God.'
Wow, what empowering words. I often forget to do that. Ok often is too nice of a word. I regularly forget to do that! How many more moments am I going to have to just lay and enjoy my little boy. Better question, how much longer is my little boy going to want his mama to lay with him? He's almost 3 and i can't tell you where the time went. So as I lay on that floor, and 'sleep', i am still listening. Listening to Brayden talk in a high pitch voice. He only does this when he is truly concerned or showing love. I discover in my 'sleeping' that i have been given special treasures. Mickey Mouse has appeared by my arm. Then the puppy dog luvie appears. And finally, the holy grahl itself, his beloved blanket. He has given me all his treasures and most prized posessions to help me 'sleep'. I am still my Lord, and i am listening. I am listening to the love my little boy has shown me. Its the same love that You show me everyday. I am just not quiet and listening. I am listening to the sweetness of a voice that is so calming and perfect. I am listening to the kisses that appear at my thigh, while my little boy 'tucks me in' to go nite-nite. Oh what i have would have missed doing laundry, cooking, cleaning.
I love the reminders that our God is able to give us. He gives them at just the right moments. When we feel like we are at whits end and aren't quite sure how we are going to accomplish A, B, and C all in the same day, He is able to put life into perspective.
So yes, Mr. Train, you are daily the enemy, but today you can be my blessing and my reminder, that stop, slow down, and listen for God is speaking to my heart.
Adios!
