Connecting

Recently we have been giving the kid more freedom in when he actually goes to sleep.  We put him in his room at a specified time and then he is in there to read, draw, etc until he feels sleepy.  The only problem with this has been that the kid doesn't seem to be able to settle himself down quite as early as we'd like.  We still get him up at the same time each day hoping that the problem would correct itself.

As we started getting ready for bed last night, I felt particularly 'unconnected' to him.  I realized that I actually missed our connecting time together talking about his day and then singing songs to settle him down.  So, I decided to stay with him.  After an hour and a half of reading books, jumping around in bed, watching silly videos he made on his video recorder, his body finally settled down next to mine.  I rubbed his back and sang his favorite song.  By this time, my eyes could barely stay open and I asked him to rub my back.

As he started to rub my back he told me that he could feel the tension in my back muscles.  He told me to relax and not to worry so much about him.  He said, "I would never do anything to hurt you mom.  I'm going to be okay.  You're the best mom and I love you."  With that my body finally relaxed and the last thing I remember was his arm around my shoulders and his head buried into my arm. 

This morning as I was reflecting on our time together last night God gave me a 'word picture'.  In the picture He has his arm around me telling me to relax and not to worry so much about Ryan.  He hears my prayers, Mr. Small Town's prayers, the kid's grandparents' prayers, and everyone who loves this kid prayers.  He's going to take care of the kid - just relax.  Just like I connected with the kid last night and got him to settle down, my Heavenly Father was connecting with me to settle me down.

As I write this I have to smile because as I look up from my computer I see the verse that I put up on the wall a few years back as a reminder to myself.

"Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10
 

Well friends, I think that sums it all up.  It's a good thing I had the foresight to put that verse in a place where I can see it everyday!  It's a reminder to stop, breathe, and relax.  God has much bigger plans for the kid, Mr. Small Town, and me than I can ever imagine.

The Small Town Girl