Tag Archives: Sleep

Small Moments and Big Rocks

Tonight, my boys were wound up and bouncing a bit more than usual. And after I made the, “We need to start getting ready for bed,” announcement, my 4.5 year old wound up even tighter. But then he looked at me with sincere eyes and said, “Mom, I know what will calm me down: The BIG Rock.”

The BIG Rock, as it is formally known at our house; is a sizable rock that sits in the last yard, at the end of our block. It is the agreed upon turn-around-point for boys who are adventuring down the sidewalk on their Big Wheels and scooters, and it has been a favorite stop on family walks since the boys were old enough to ride along in a stroller.

“I think we need to walk to The Big Rock, Mom. That will help me calm down for bed.”

I started to say, “Maybe tomorrow;” but then I caught myself before the words came out. I chose, instead, to embrace this small moment with my little man: to find joy in the not-always-joyous struggle of bedtime.

Me and My Kai Walking

As we began to walk, Kai held my hand and snuggled up to my side. He rambled off a play-by-play of each crack in the sidewalk, each bump he likes to ride over, and nearly infinite knowledge of each spot along the way. As we neared the end of the block, Kai announced proudly: “It’s coming, Mom!”

And when we arrived at The BIG Rock, he jumped up onto the rock with fanfare. He gave me a grin, declaring: “And now I will sit on The BIG Rock. And YOU will take my picture!”

I laughed as I fumbled to pull out my phone and snap a few pics: happy for this moment together. And then, as quickly as he jumped up on the rock, he jumped back down and we walked home hand-in-hand.  And though the moment was brief, it was special.

Kai on Rock Color

The walk home was a little quieter as Kai tried to catch his shadow among the numerous looooooong shadows of the late, summer evening.

And even though he wanted to race me up the sidewalk to our door, he remained amazingly calm once we walked through it. He greeted Patrick with a smile and a snuggle, and he gave us NO arguments as I escorted him up to bed. After a hug and a kiss, he snuggled into his bed, and he was asleep within moments of laying down.

I found myself still grinning about our trip to The BIG Rock for sometime after Kai went to bed, and it made me ponder our small moment with that BIG Rock…

Maybe The BIG Rock has calming powers after all! Or maybe we’d all sleep better if we could stop and find joy in those tiny moments of connection that are often so easy to pass up because we are busy, or because they don’t follow our set schedule for the day.

And so, once again, I find myself challenged to find joy in my journey. I find myself thanking God for these sweet boys who challenge me and inspire me. And as the sweet, quiet moments of tonight give way to the frustrations and challenges that will inevitably find their way back into my day, I challenge myself to find joy in a BIG Rock or a short walk tomorrow. And, just as Kai leaned into me, may I lean into my Heavenly Father’s embrace as I try to find my way there.

Kai on Rock B&W

May we all find joy in a BIG Rock or a short walk; in a chosen moment of joy today!

 

Today, joy was sunshine.

I sat in the sun today. And it was awesome.  This has been an incredibly long winter that lasted long into our Minnesota “spring.” It has been cold and dreary, and today’s sunshine was such a welcome reprieve.  I believe that anyone who knows what it is like to survive a snowy start to May, will not take for granted a glorious, sun-filled afternoon like this one.  Today, joy was sunshine.

I always think that a long winter makes those summer moments so much more glorious.  We appreciate the things we have so much more when we have gone without them for a while.  This afternoon, both my boys are napping.  And it is awesome.  We have had a long stretch of sleepless nights and diarrhea filled days at our house, and I could have cried for joy this morning when both boys seemed much more “well.”  In addition to the fact that they seem to be on the mend, I slept for 5 hours straight last night.  I do not know the last time I slept for such a long chunk of time, and it was great.  Again, naps and “normal” sleep patterns were made so much more glorious because their absence had been great.  Today, joy was a little more sleep and the relief of boys on the mend.

As I reflect on the joy that comes from sitting in the sunshine after a long winter, or the joy of much needed rest, I am reminded of Psalms 30:5 (NKJV); “For his anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”  Today I have found things to be joyful in, but there are still some “winters” that I am walking through.  And while I will relish in the joy of today’s sunshine, I will also look forward to the future with the hope that even though I might be going through some trying times, I can trust that, “His favor is for life.”  My family and I have some tough stuff that we are dealing with right now, but I’m holding on to the hope that this time of trial is “but for a moment.” And on the other side of this moment, I believe that we will have an appreciation for that new moment, that joy that comes in the morning; that we would not have had without having lived through this moment first.

As I strive to find joy in my journey, there might be times of weeping, but even in those times, I can still find joy because “His favor is for life.” And though my, “Weeping may endure for a night;” “Joy comes in the morning.”

Joy was sunshine.