So, my 4 year old sometimes has scary monster dreams. There would be times that this would require me to sleep in his bed with him so he would stay calm enough to sleep. There was a time period where he seemed to have bad dreams every night. I would lay with him and try to sleep. Once I thought he was "out", I would try sneaking out of the bed to go back to my much more comfortable bed. Inevitably though, he would immediately wake and scream that he was scared and needed me. I can't tell you how many nights I spent sleeping next to him with his arm over me, ensuring I didn't leave.
One night I had had enough. There must be something else I could do. So we talked about what had scared him. Then I said "Do you think Heavenly Father wants you to be scared?" He replied that no, he wants us to be happy. I then asked "Did you know Jesus can help you not be scared?" He got an amazed look on his face. I then asked him if we should pray that he won't be scared. He looked at me with his innocent trusting eyes and said "Yes, let's pray."
So we knelt down right there on his bed and I helped him say a prayer. Immediately afterward he sighed, said he wasn't scared anymore and cuddled up with his "nees" (blankies--he has 2 he must have to be able to sleep) and went right to sleep.
We talked about it the next day. I asked him why he wasn't scared. He said because Jesus would keep him safe and because we prayed.
Last night, he woke up crying because he had a ghost and a monster dream. I went in and he said "Say a prayer, mom." So I did. He then gave me a hug and told me goodnight. No prolonged crying...no needing to stay with him, etc. Immediate peace. Now this has happened more than once, but it hit me as I was doing my personal devotions this morning. Do I let the peace of Christ in as fully as my son does?
Jesus tells us to become like little children and I can't help but think this is a VERY good example of that. How often do we get scared? How often do the uncertainties of life occupy our minds? How often do we pray for peace during those instances and then feel like we don't receive it. I would say that we actually could receive it, if we open our hearts to it. As humans and as adults who are living in a busy, "wicked" world, we are jaded. All of us have become pessimists to one degree or another. I know that I overthink things way too much. I will pray for peace, yet at the same time continue doing things that fuel my worry. Do I really believe that He, who knows all that I am feeling and notices even the sparrow, will bring me peace? YES!!!!!!!!!! Then why don't I let him? Why can't I be like my son and just feel...not overthink things...not over analyze things. Just feel His warmth and His love as He wraps His arms around me.
Peace, especially peace through the atonement of Jesus Christ, is something that I am continually striving for. After this experience with my son, I realize that he is teaching me something. I need to be more like him. I need to have the faith of a child that it will come. I need to believe so purely and innocently that Jesus will be there when I close my prayer. I need to let Him in.
Let us all strive to be more humble and teachable and childlike in our prayers and in our faith. The Savior said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). He promised us His peace!! Miles taught me an amazing lesson last night...that the peace is there. I just have to open my heart to feel it.
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