Finding rest in the midst of mothering

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 (New International Version)

I get a full night’s sleep almost all the time now. Don’t hate me – I’ve done my time, thanks. From birth, my first child saw sleep as a punishment to be avoided. She was such a horrific sleeper that when my son came along and slept peacefully with a smile on his face, we were sure something was dreadfully wrong with him. He is the only child I’ve ever known who will occasionally announce, “I’m tired. I know it’s not my bedtime yet, but I think I will go to sleep now.”

Huh?

Still, when they were babies, I rocked my children and sang over them as they drifted off in slumber, or fought it ferociously, depending on the child. We had our standard ditties: the “Winnie the Pooh” theme song, a personalized version of “Mockingbird,” or “Jesus Loves Me.” Sometimes, the songs were composed on the spot, out of sheer desperation.

“I am so tiiiired. Please go to sleeeeep now. Mommy needs re-est.”

I don’t sing my big kids to sleep now, but I take great comfort in knowing that their Creator still does. He sings over them and over me – when my body is exhausted from a day filled with school and work, when my mind is in fretting over tomorrow’s plans, when I am fraught with insecurity, and when I a carry worry like a wet cloak.

He sings. And I find rest.

Let Him sing you to sleep tonight.

Chris Worthy is mom to Caroline (15) and Nolan (10) and will soon celebrate 20 years of marriage to her favorite person, John. Chris practiced law before becoming a writer and stay-at-home mother more than 10 years ago. She enjoys cooking, crafting, spoiling dogs, green living and rummaging though old books. Follow along at www.chrisworthy.com