Across the street from me is a sweet couple who brought home a newborn baby three weeks ago. Their first child. A little girl.By looking at their house I can tell which room is the nursery. A soft light with a hint of pink. The past few mornings I have noticed the lamp on in the wee hours.
Oh the demands of a hungry baby.
No one could have prepared me for the sleep deprivation that comes with a little one. I imagine they are very tired, too. That little lamp an indicator of little sleep.
This morning, around one o'clock, my six-year-old baby climbed into bed with me. I was groggy and confused. He didn't feel well and he wanted his mama. As I was up with him, I thought of my neighbor. Wondering if she was up with her baby, too.
There is no way to track the hours of rest lost over the years. Meeting the demands of little ones. Rubbing foreheads. Shushing. Saying prayers. Singing. Rocking. Feeding.
But I won't complain...one day they won't need me in the night. No little cries begging me come.
Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children. Lamentations 2:19
There is something very sacred about the watches of the night. A silence and peace that only the dark can bring. An awareness of God's presence that is different from daylight. An opportunity to pray that doesn't compete with the noise of day.
Day Sixteen: Love Loses a Little Sleep
Tonight, as you go to bed, plan to set your alarm a bit earlier. Lose a little sleep for your loved ones. Arise a little sooner to pray... to pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Wake and lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children.... Or your spouse... Or your parents.... Or the sick. Enter into the sacred silence that only the night can bring. God waits on us to wake. His presence always with us. Watching. Waiting. Listening.
Oh Becky..... I just started reading this Series this morning. And boy does this hit home. Even though Garrett is 8 1/2 months he's still getting up during the night. GOD keeps reminding me that it's an opportunity to spend more time with Him - it's just so easy to lose track of that during my 3rd overnight Nursing Session. Thanks for the gentle reminder - again.
ReplyDeleteOh Adrian! Hang in there! That is so hard. xoxo God is with you in the night ;)
ReplyDeleteLately I've been thinking that I need to be intentional about getting up early ~ at least on the days when the family is all home, & it's hard to get some quiet time!
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