I Was Blessed By My Crying Child

Ever since my 9 ¾ month old little boy started crawling, about 1 ½ months ago, he has become very independent. He wants to explore everything. This means he needs to see it, smell it, taste it, bite it and usually throw it if he can. He is a boy through and through. He loves to play rough. He loves to hang upside down. He loves to smack things (including his twin sister which I frown upon). I am pretty sure that if we had a turnbuckle in our house he would climb it and perform a TKO move from the top.

He no longer wants to cuddle, or snuggle or be held for longer than 3 seconds (I’ve timed it). I already have visions of him asking to borrow the car and get a tattoo; there I go living in tomorrow again. But my independent, brave, fearless little boy does have one weakness…when he doesn’t feel well, he wants to cuddle, and snuggle, and be held all day. He doesn’t get sick often but lately he has been teething and so far two little teefers have popped through the surface. He is drooling and chewing and fussing like a mad man lately.

Now mind you, I don’t want my child to feel ill or be in pain, but what mommy doesn’t love it when her independent child suddenly wants to lay his head on her chest? Who wouldn’t want him to wrap his arms around her neck and burrow down for a long snuggle? Now don’t get me wrong, a child who feels bad comes with long nights, snotty noses and fits of crying and screaming  (not to mention all that the child goes through, haha!).

Thankfully, today I was gently reminded by God of several things: that there is always a silver lining, that God can use tough situations to bring joy and that life is short, so open your eyes wide to the blessings before you. After trying to get my son to nap (unsuccessfully) on and off for the last five hours, I decided to sit in his dark room and rock him. To my surprise, he obliged. He wrapped his tiny arms around my neck, laid his head on my shoulder, and began to suck his pacifier contentedly. He finally stopped crying when I got him in my arms.

I try not to give in to my crying children unless there is truly something wrong. So to hold him and soothe him was such a joy. I must add here that I haven’t slept at night in two days. I am exhausted. I usually nap when my twins nap in the afternoon. I was desperately in need of a nap after a sleepless night and a rough morning; but my son had other plans. So there I was, rocking him in his nursery, with half of my mind daydreaming about a nap for myself and silently begging and praying for my son to sleep.

And that’s when God gave me the gentle nudge as He often does, to stop and think and notice. Stop thinking about myself and the rest of the day and focus on the now. What did I notice? I realized what a rare blessing and joy it was to snuggle with my little rugged explorer; and how much time I had wasted wishing I could lay him down so that I could lay me down. At one point I leaned forward and he clung to me, afraid I would put him down. That pierced my heart; he wanted my affection so intensely.

This day has reminded me of Genesis 50:20a which says ….”You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good (NIV).” What started out as a hard and trying day, when seen through the filter of God’s word, turned into a day of hidden treasures. Next time you are having a terrible day try to take a step back and look at the situation and think, “what can I learn from this? What blessing am I overlooking?” God has already laid this day out for you; He goes before you and will be with you (Deut. 31:8). Have open eyes and a receptive heart to see what He has placed before you.

Remember to slow down and enjoy the fruits of your labor and love on a daily basis and you will start to see life as a Mama on the Bright Side.