I would love to tell you that bedtime around our house is this blissful routine of kids brushing their teeth, joyfully getting in bed and me reading them a few stories, praying with them and saying goodnight. If I met you for the first time and you told me how compliant your kids were at bedtime I might be tempted to even lie to you and tell you, “why yes that sounds just like my house.” Knowing full well that bedtime is actually quite frustrating for me.
The truth is, bedtime is not one of my favorite times of the day. I’m usually getting quite cranky by this time and tired of being mommy. My patience is slim and I just want some peace and quiet. I know this makes me sound like an ungrateful selfish mother, and I am just that when left up to my own desires. Until last night. Last night I was gently reminded that bedtime could be some of the most priceless moments of my day.
Bedtime started out how it typically does around my house with several reminders to brush your teeth, go potty, pick out a story and get in bed. Then “BE STILL IT’S BEDTIME!” is said countless times before they finally calm down enough to even think about sleeping. After I read one of their favorite stories, Go, Dog Go!, I turned out the lights and started telling my son stories about when he was a baby. My little girl then piped in and said, “Talk about me mommy, talk about me.” I told her several stories about her as a baby and what a blessing she was to me and before I knew it she finally drifted off to sleep.
Hearing her say those words made me think how we all want someone to “talk about me.” Not in the gossipy way, but in a way that builds us up and reminds us of how we got to where we are. We all want to hear about how great we were at __________ and how brilliant we were when we did ______________. Somewhere though, as we got to be adults, we stopped hearing anything good about us and starting listening to everything negative or hurtful. I think sometimes as we’re going to bed we need to have our heavenly father “talk about me.” We need to be reminded of what God thinks about us and says about who we are.
So if your wondering what he says about you, here are just a few scriptures to remind you of how wonderful you truly are.
I am God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
I am born of God and the evil one can not touch me. (1John 5:18)
I have been justified by faith, and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
Through the strength and power of Christ I am an over comer. (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)
I’m not sure if anyone but me needed to be reminded of these truths, but one thing I do know for sure is that I have two precious children that need their mommy to tuck them in and tell them all the great things about them that only I know. I pray if bedtime with your kids is a frustration for you as well, that tonight instead of being frustrated God will show you a glimpse of how special bedtime can really be.
Sincerely,
Paige
