I have a wee one transitioning out of napping, kids who think “sleep” is a four letter word, and a child who cries at the sight of vegetables on a dinner plate. I am not alone. Do you want to see a really heated Facebook discussion? Just post something like this:
“Hey wise Facebook parents! How can I get my baby to sleep through the night? Ready….GO!!!”
Or even better:
“Whatup FB Peeps! How can I get my three year-old to keep napping?”
Or for an all out cage-match:
“Facebook moms, help!! I can’t get my toddler to eat anything but processed foods. What should I do?”
Mary from Memphis will tell you to let the baby cry, put the three year-old in her room with a baby gate on her door, and to slowly sneak puréed cauliflower into your son’s Spaghettios. Laura from LA will openly rant about Sue’s ignorance, and tell you co-sleeping is the key for the baby, the three year-old needs more one-on-one time with you, and accuse you of child abuse because you buy Pop Tarts.
Then seven thousand other “friends” will tell you thirteen thousand different ways to handle these problems,and terrify you with stories of children ruined by parents who used methods other than their own.
Then, like me, you will be very confused and wonder what the Bible says about it all.
Did you ever read the Old Testament? A great portion of The Law is about what to eat (or not eat), how we are supposed to rest on the Sabbath, and what to do when we don’t follow those commands.
God cares about our daily life and how we take care of ourselves. He made us to eat what is good, to work when work is necessary, and to rest when rest is necessary.
If you are like me (and everyone else I know) you are not always good at those things. In fact, I like to eat what I want, work when I feel inspired (for too long if I am enjoying my labor, not at all if the work is dull), and to rest when I feel like it. Oh, and it’s really nice if the children don’t interrupt my plans by not napping when they are scheduled….
I am beginning to find the real trouble is not in my child’s heart alone.
Then, I see these words in John 6 (bold words are mine):
“[Jesus] also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher….”
I am leading and teaching my children with my own life. I certainly should pay attention to what I am doing.
The hope of every parent’s heart is this: that their child would choose what is wise, learn what is true, and live a good life. It starts with feedings and naps, and grows into loving others, bearing responsibility, and building character.
That’s the hope of God’s heart for all of us, too. We begin with eating well, working hard, and resting in Him. By placing our daily life before Him, we learn to love and trust the One who made us, and become more like Him.
To be honest, I want my children to eat well and rest well because they are their best selves when they do. To be even more honest, I am the best mom I can be when I do those things, too. I am pretty sure God wants us to give one another our best selves. Love requires no less.
Sleep and eat for love. What a great place to begin to grow…together.
