Weary

"Come to Me, all who are weary ... and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

As I mentioned, we've been having awful (terribleawfulnogoodverybad) nights for about 3 weeks. I've been about at my wits' end, having tried everything -- nurse him / don't nurse him, cry it out / comfort quick and early, pick him up / leave him lay, diaper change / let it ride, Tylenol / gas drops, big bouncing / little bouncing, big rocking / no rocking, pat / don't pat, sing / silence. It's enough to make a mama bonkers.  And frustrated.  And kind of ugly inside.  I know in my head that these days will end and sleep will improve but it can be hard to remember that at midnight - and 2 - and 4:30 - and 6.... night after night after night. And with Mikel coming home (understandably!) exhausted after each day on a new job, it bodes poorly for us both to be spent.

So last night a thought occurred to me -- I realized that the one thing I really haven't done in earnest is pray for our nights. And the verse from Matthew came to mind...  And so, at 7pm once he was asleep, I knelt down by his crib with my hand on his back and asked for rest.  And if not rest, then divine strength and patience and mercies. I also prayed for my Council and each of their kids. And also for each member of our families. It was a sweet few minutes of silence.

Then I removed my hand and left the room, holding my breath as I clicked the door closed.

Then lo and behold, not by coincidence I'm sure -- guess who slept all the way till 5:15???  And then back down till 7???

Glory be.  Behold the power of prayer.

I'm not sure we're cured - and I AM sure we have many more long nights in our future - but this morning I'm refreshed and thankful that God hears.  I'm also humbled that it took 3 weeks to think of employing true and honest prayer on something so troubling to me. When will I learn to be more faithful in the small things? Thank You, Father, for your grace and thank You for sleep!