Charlie Mae is typically very independent. She knows no stranger, she will jump in and try almost anything without hesitation. She is playful, silly and full of life. She is also very unsure of the dark, the noises and being upstairs in her bed all alone.
Our routine at night is she gets ready for bed, I crawl in beside her and she says her prayers to me. We then recapture the day, share a funny something or talk about an issue or situation. I lie with her while she pleads with me to please stay until she falls asleep. It is routine, every single night. And every night I lie with her for a long period of time and talk her through the fear of being in her bed alone. We talk about God protecting our home and the prayers over it. We talk about how parents double check doors to make sure we are all safe inside. We talk about the fact we've yet to read on facebook or see on the news where a girl was taken from her bed in the middle of the night (OK, recently and not here). And eventually she will find comfort and ask that I remain on the main floor until she falls asleep.
Oh it can be rather exhausting.
Last night when I tucked my sweet girl in, she prayed, we talked and she asked me please please please stay until she fell asleep. I stayed for a rather long time, shared with her that I would take a bath (bathroom is right near her room) and upon getting out would come in and kiss her sleeping head good night. She was not asleep. I laid with her, holding her, telling her how brave she is and how much I love her. She finally said, I think I've got this mom. I headed to bed.
Moments later MOMMMMMM. Which isn't typical but does happen on rare occasion. Back up the stairs and into her room where I found a little girl wanting her momma to come and hold her tight. I crawled in beside her and she wrapped herself just right into my body, making herself safe and comfy. As I laid there in the moment I felt so much responsibility. So much love and such a desire to comfort and remind her that I will always be here for her. In the middle of the night, in the middle of the day. In the middle of an argument with a friend, in the middle of a blow up with her brother. No matter what I want her to know that I have every desire to be there for her. And it made me think how AWESOME it is to have such a deep seeded love and want to take care of someone so precious to me. (she's not the only one I hold this for - but most certainly one of the most important)
DO NOT BE AFRAID MATTHEW 10:26
Isn't it AWESOME how God is always there for us. In the middle of the night, in the middle of a storm, in the middle of heart break and in the middle of joy. He is always there. Always wrapping Himself around us in such a way that we feel secure, comfort, peace and love. And when we feel unsure about His presents, although He is always there.....we need only call out JESUS and much like a momma fumbling up the stairs to meet the needs of her precious child - JESUS IS THERE.