Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Peaceful Night


Have you ever watched somebody sleeping?  Perhaps you’ve slipped into your child’s room late at night while they’re sound asleep.  You stand over him, but they don’t even know you’re there.  Sitting down beside him, you begin to stroke his hair and touch the back of your hand to his cheek.  No matter what’s happened that day, good or bad, there’s that special moment of peace hanging over him at that moment.  You want to cradle him in your arms, but you’re afraid you’ll wake him.  
As you sit quietly, contemplating how much he’s grown, you can’t help but wonder what the future holds for him, especially in this day and age.  What will he be when he grows up?  How tall will he grow?  Will he heed most of your warnings, using caution in his decisions or will he just throw caution to the wind when you’re not there to look over his shoulder?  A million thoughts run through your mind.  Tears fill your eyes and you brush them away with the t-shirt that he tossed across the chair next to the bed.  You have such great dreams for him, such great hopes.  If only you could hold his hand all the way, but you know that’s not possible.  Sooner or later you have to let go.  Will he still love you and want to come around to see you once he’s   outgrown the nest?  So many things you want to tell him, but the clocks is ticking away and the hours are flying by.  Some things he will have to learn for himself.  You hope he will rely on the lessons you’ve so carefully taught him on a daily basis, but you’ll just have to wait and see.  
He turns in his bed and you take your hand away from his brow.  You don’t want to disturb his peaceful slumber.  You take in a deep breath and wonder if you’ve done all the right things.  Your eyes study his face and you fondly recall his eyes looking up at you when he was just an infant.  He took his first step downstairs in your living room.  When he stumbled you instantly reached for him to give him balance and to encourage him to try again.  Now he’s riding a bike and he wants a motorized scooter.  You swallow hard.  Where has the time gone?  
Just before you leave the room, you pull the covers up over his shoulders and tuck him in.  You touch his face once more.  His hand brushes yours but he has no idea you’re standing over him, watching him sleep.  Your eyes are heavy and you walk to the door, turning to look once more before you leave the room.  It’s so quiet.  The morning will bring a new day and lots of activity, but for now it’s quiet.  You lean your head against the door and whisper a prayer and then tiptoe out of the room, leaving the door ajar behind you, just in case he needs you.  
Every moment of every day, God is standing over us.  When we think He is distant and out of reach, He’s right there beside us, watching.  If we could see with supernatural eyes, we would see His fingerprints on every area of our life.  “The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  Psalm 121:5-8. 
Sleep peacefully knowing He’s standing watch over you, desiring for you to fulfill the plans He has for your life.  With His Word He encourages you, motivates you to trust Him.  He watches you grow and make decisions.  He hears your every cry and knows the desires of your heart.  You are His child and the apple of His eye.  He never slumbers so you can.               

No comments:

Post a Comment