Clouds unnerve him. Heavy rains torment him. And no, I’m not speaking of our crazy, nervous dog (that’s another post for another day.)
I’m speaking of my son.
Last night, or wee morning rather, I heard the whimpering as he stumbled around to my side of the bed.
With my eyes closed I assured him, “You’re fine son, go back to bed.”
“My leg hurts Momma.”
You’re fine son, go back to bed.”
A few moments later I slumbered from my bed to be sure he’d made it back to his bed. When he rounded the corner from the restroom, he saw me.
“My knee Momma!”
“It’s not your knee son, it’s the rain and there’s absolutely no reason for you to be afraid.”
Slumped shoulders, overwhelmed with anxiety, he turned towards his room. His eyes pleading with me, “Please make it stop Momma. Make the rain stop! ”
As he climbed into bed and I began to tuck him in again, I assured him, “You’re fine son. God made the rain and the sun. He loves you and will keep you, always. Think about Jesus instead of the rain. Sing about Jesus. Say His name. Ask Him, ‘Jesus make me brave.’ I love you son. Goodnight.”
I knew, left alone, on the other side of the door, the battle was on.
The spiritual tug o’ war within his tiny little soul, to be scared or to be brave.
The choice was his to make.
I returned to my bed and began to pray for him.
“Be near him Lord Jesus, be near. Help him to be brave. Calm his anxious heart Lord, as only You can. Amen.”
When an unexpected battle broke out in my room.
He’s scared. Don’t you care? A good mom would lay down with him and sing him back to sleep. A good mom would have just let him sleep in her bed just for tonight. It’s just one night. He’s only six.
Once more, I began to pray.
“Be near me Lord Jesus, be near. I know you hear me and care for me. I lift my little one up to You. I know that You are all he needs. You will never leave him, nor will You ever forsake him. Father, I love You and trust You…”
When I noticed something, just before I said, “Amen.”
God had heard and answered our prayers by the ceasing of the rain.
Is it okay to let your kids be afraid?
Yes, I believe so.
Here’s why.
J and I are not always going to be here for our kids. We disappoint them. We are inconsistent, lose our cool and to be quite frank, we bomb this whole parenting thing WAY TOO OFTEN.
If, then, we are not steadfast and are limited as to what we can do for our kids then there must be One who is better, more trustworthy?
Yes, His name is Jesus.
He does not disappoint.
He never grows weary.
He does not change.
His way is best.
His word tells us to cast all of our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.
He cares that my son is afraid of the rain.
I believe, with all of my heart, the most valuable lesson I can offer my son is to exhort him to surrender his fears to the One who says,
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you.” Isaiah 41:10
He is the One who can speak, “Peace, be still” and the wind and the sea obey Him.
My son needs Jesus, more than my son needs me.
Life is stormy.
Storms with thunder others with lightening, storms of life, many of which we will have little or no control over.
It’s best that they know, there is only One who can calm the storms of this life.
His name is Jesus.
love y’all
🙂 k
wonderful reminder!
What a wonderful way God gives us to teach trust. One part rain, one part love, one part prayer equals peace! Love this lesson!
“My son needs Jesus more than my son needs me.” What AMAZING maternal wisdom that many of us need to hear.