We all have busy days and often busy nights too.  Of late we’ve battled snowstorms, ice damage, frigid temperatures, colds, headaches, and muscle aches.  However, let’s not be distracted by these things.

As I was folding back the boys bedding in preparation for bedtime.  I thought, “Tonight would be a good night to change the cotton sheets and apply the warm, cozy flannel sheets to the bed.”  Forgetting all the body aches, although making it difficult to lift the mattresses, I knew how happy the boys would be when they snuggled in on a cold night.

As I was walking with Sam to his bedroom, I told him he would be able to sleep in shorts and a t-shirt tonight!  No heavy night-suit!  When we got to his room, and he gazed at his bed, his eyes lit up!  He quickly changed into his shorts and t-shirt and jumped into bed.  “Ahh…Oh mom, my bed feels so good with these sheets on.”  As he hunkered into the bed, as if to dig a hole into the memory foam mattress, he sighed.  Then he turned and raised his hand to rub my arm gently.  “Oh mom, you do so much to make us happy.  I know you do not feel well, but you are always concerned about us.”  Then a sniffle, “I wish I were bigger and could do these things for you!”  He whimpered.  He proceeded to tell me how he will take care of me when he got older as I have taken care of him.  That he would even move me to a warmer climate, near him, because that is where he has already decided to live—in a warmer place.  I guess he has had enough of the harsh winter too.  He said, “Mom, what can I do for you?”  Without thought or hesitation, I said, “Just obey, Sam.”  I proceeded to tell him how delighted I am when he starts homework on time—when he comes to the dinner table, when I call. Also, that he brushes his teeth, when asked.  “That is it Sam.”  When you do these things, you make me very happy.

Sam and I said our nightly prayers, and when I finished my part of the prayers…Sam was fast asleep.  I was glad Sam appreciated something as small as flannel sheets on his bed.  However, I am most happy that he shared his gratitude and appreciation for my efforts.  Later, as I prayed to God, he shared with me that all He wants is for us to obey Him, also.  I was sorrowful that perhaps I’ve been doing more complaining than praising of late.  So I looked back over the past week and began to thank God for all the victories of the week that might have been overshadowed by the many challenges.  I started smiling and imagined that God was starting to feel a little like I did when Sam shared his heart with gratitude and thanksgiving with me.

Lord, I thank You that I can see you in big and small ways!  Most of all, I thank You for loving me.  You care for me, and I believe you seek opportunities in my life, even amidst my challenges, to let me see You.  I will be obedient to Your call Lord.  So I thank You for restoring me.

From a child’s heart, God shared with me a lesson of love and obedience.

Deuteronomy 6:4-13