Just Thinking

Caleb WILL NOT stay in his bed!!!!! Every night, we rehearse the same conversation:

Daddy: Caleb, are you going to stay in your big boy bed?

Caleb: Yes, Daddy

Daddy: Are you going to get up?

Caleb: No, Daddy

So, I walk out of his room, confident that he will keep his word...yes, he's only 2...all 2 year olds keep their word! About ten minutes pass and I hear something coming from the hallway. So, when I get to the hall, what do I see? My son. Lying in the hallway. Yes, the same sone who gave me his word that he would stay in his bed...his "big boy" bed. So, in response to this teachable moment, I decide to help my son understand boundaries. When we do not respect the boundaries we have been given, the boundaries must become more strict. With this in mind, I place him in his pack-n-play to sleep, so that he will not be able to get up.

Problem solved...not really.

About fifteen minutes pass by, and I go to check on Caleb in his room, only to find him asleep on the floor by his door! I sit with him, angrily, on his bed and try to reason with him (yes, he's 2 years old) about why it is important that he stay in his bed.

How frustrating!

It occured to me today that he really doesn't trust what I say. Part of the reason that he gets out of bed is because he is afraid of the sound of the air conditioner. Although I tell him that he doesn't need to fear, he doesn't really trust me, so he tries to deal with the issue the best way he knows how...by himself.

In Psalm 23, David says, "The LORD is my shepherd...He makes me lie down in green pastures." David here is using the metaphor of a sheep and a shepherd to describe the relationship between people and the LORD. Sheep are very nervous animals, always grazing, always afraid of what may be around the corner. However, in this psalm, David says that the LORD (the shepherd) makes him (the sheep) lie down. Sheep only lie down when they are completely provided for. They only lie down when they trust their shepherd to take care of them.

I'm not much different from Caleb. I often reassure the LORD that I will stay in my "big boy" bed, trusting Him completely. However, when I get afraid, I get up and try to deal with the issue myself. However, it always puts me in a place that He never intended me to be.

I never intend for my son to sleep on the floor. I want him to get the rest that I know he needs. But, until he REALLY trusts that I will take care of him, he will never get the rest that he needs.

The LORD never intends for me to sleep on the floor of my fear. He wants me to trust Him, rest in His provision, rest assured that He is taking care of me.

So, LORD, today I will try to stay in my "big boy" bed and lie down in the green pasture of Your provision.