Our four-year-old grandson gazed up at me with wide blue eyes and posed a question that melted my heart into a puddle.

Never mind that this grammy was beyond exhaustion. That this little one’s Pop and I had already enjoyed a day of race cars, building blocks, and train tracks galore. We had made it through the bedtime routine, including multiple Bible stories, a “bonus” book, and “one more cup of water.”

The time had come. For. Sleep. 

In our rascal’s defense, for 45 minutes or so he gave it a try. He tossed, turned, and paced in his assigned room. But every so often, he poked that sweet head into the living room and summoned a weary grandparent.

Until this one had had enough. My voice took on a firmer tone. “Let’s stay in the bed, okay honey?”

But then … that little voice. “Grammy? Will you help me settle down?”

That tiny request, spoken in fragile frustration, sent me to eye level with a sleepy preschooler as my weariness faded and we held each other close. And over the next minutes of still and quiet, God gave this grammy the privilege of loving and lulling one of His littles to sleep.

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The experience got me to thinking of all the times I go to the Lord—trembling, frustrated, and weary—unable to focus or to settle down.

I may approach my quiet time with lofty intentions, then get sidetracked with the day’s to-do list. Social media beckons. Hunger pangs remind me I skipped breakfast. My thoughts flit and flutter from housework to errands to work to family to anything but God and His Word.

Or perhaps I allow worries and cares to overwhelm me. Instead of laying burdens at Jesus’ feet, I sit and stare at each issue, as if my personal examinations held some silly magical power to fix things.

Like my restless grandson trying to sleep, my inner life tosses, turns, and paces, seeking someone stronger to help me calm my anxious spirit. Frustrated, my soul reaches for the One Who knows my need. Abba, Father, will you help me? Will you help me settle down?

Psalm 38:9 reads,

All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

Oh, how I love this verse. Our Father knows our need! And He is waiting—never impatient and never weary—to help us settle down, focus, and continue on our journey.

Can you hear His loving voice?

• “Cast all your anxiety on Me because I care for you” (From 1 Peter 5:7).

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

• “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).

What joy, to serve a God Who sees, knows, and cares. A mighty Creator God, full of strength and power.

But also a loving, tender, compassionate God—our Abba, Father—Who pulls us close, settles our troubled spirits, and works through our feeble petitions to transform us into His likeness.

“One more cup of water” at a time.

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Our Father knows our need! And He is waiting–never impatient and never weary–to help us settle down, focus, and continue on our journey. @lthomaswrites #parenthood #parents

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