When my son, Jack, first started to make the big transition from diapers to underwear at night, he would frequently wake me up with a 5 a.m. emergency. Dazed and annoyed, I would either (depending on the emergency) rush him to the bathroom or start the familiar process of changing his sheets and his pants.
Then I would jump back in my bed and shut my eyes tightly, determined to get the sleep I desperately needed. Unfortunately, I am one of those people who has a hard time falling back asleep, and I found myself with the rather unfamiliar predicament of quiet time alone. At first I was completely irritated with God, asking Him why I had to consistently wake up SO early when He knew I was a girl who NEEDS her sleep, lest I become Monster Mom the next day.
Eventually, though, I started making the best of the situation by reading the Bible and praying with a regularity I hadn’t had before. It became a habit, so that even when Jack stopped waking up early, I continued. That pre-sunrise time before the kids woke up became precious to me as I grew closer to Christ. It dawned on me one day that God had used potty training to train His daughter to have consistent time with Him. Now I won’t give it up.
Yes, I’ve had to adjust my bedtime to 9 p.m. so Monster Mom doesn’t rear her ugly head, but it’s been worth it. Each night I look forward to my early morning coffee and quiet time, thankful that God delights in spending time with me.
Memory Verse:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness, and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
-Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Father, thank You for loving me enough to teach and train me. Please mold me into Your likeness, and give me a teachable spirit, especially in the area of…”
Contributing Writer:
Mariah Froehlich
Leave a Reply