6/18/09

God might want to have a little talk with me

Thursday~June 18, 2009

I mean, if He did have that talk with me, either He'd tell me how smart I am...OR, He might just remind me that it's not that good to manipulate my children through prayer.

You see, it's quite possible that I ramble on and on during bedtime (and nap time) prayers with the kids, thanking God for a whole lot of things regarding sleep and how wonderful it is. And maybe I do this to the extent that I mention the super powers that rest can bring. I also just might thank God that Henry and Wes and Olivia and Max and...are all snug in their beds, fast asleep.

You see, Miles has been known to fight sleep (big time), especially naps, as he gets closer to the age of "rest" time rather than nap time. And this prayer technique is really helping him actually sleep rather than just dumping every lego in the closet all over the floor of his room during "rest" time.

(These are heartfelt prayers, just so you know. I mean them. It's just that I think it's kind of nice that they also work on my child's subconscious in such a way that I get a bit of a break, so I may just be a little overly dramatic during said prayer time.)

Here's an example, in case you'd like to borrow this idea (and you aren't afraid of lightening):

"God, thank you for the chance we had to run and run and run and play and play and play today. Our bodies lost all their energy from all that fun. Thank you for our cozy, soft, peaceful beds, a place to snuggle up and get rest after so so so much fun. Thank you that resting will renew our strength so that we have super power-like energy to run and play later. Thank you for a fun time with __________ today and for all the super fun things we did because of how we had rest last night. Thank you that ALL of our friends are snuggled up in their soft beds, resting right now at this very moment, just like we are.

(at this point I like to add something about the weather. If it's sunny, I thank God for the sun and how it zaps all of our energy so that we must have sleep. If it's rainy, I thank God for gloomy days that make us want to be snug in our beds.)

Amen."

When I turn out the light and close the door after these prayers and not a peep comes from the room until two hours later, my prayer is much shorter.

It goes like this:

"Thank You."

29 clicked right here to comment:

...sensible of shoe said...

Hilarious!

Kim said...

So funny! I've been known to offer a few pointed prayers of my own. Sometimes they work, sometimes not, but I do kind of like this. Heck, Mary probably offered up some similar prayers when she wanted Jesus to take a rest.

Unknown said...

So precious. I've heard (and perhaps said) much, much less benign pointed prayers--these are lovely. Blessings on everyone.

Erin said...

Every time my four year old prays, he says, "Please bless me and Ethan to be nice to each other." Can you tell that is a sentence we frequently use in prayer?

Cute!

Christy said...

This is the cutest post I've read all day. No, all week. I love it.

jen@odbt said...

Amen. That's what I say every night.

jmt said...

All the things you said were true, and I believe that if it takes "over the top" to convince a small child, so be it. I do believe it's how you have to manage parenthood. EVERYTHING is over the top for them, including prayers and restful wishes. Good work. lol

Crock said...

I'd like to take you to my Psychopathology class tonight... :)

Growin' With It said...

sure seems to me that my prayers need to be more simple like that one!

loved this post!

Unknown said...

Your a sly one, you are!

Anonymous said...

Now this...THIS...might just win you that Bad Mother award. Haha!

Francesca said...

i have the same prayers! seriously. Dear Jesus, its now time for maxi to go to sleep after a very tiring day... etc etc
how funny

XX

Jillene said...

hehe!! Oh how I long for the long lost days of nap time!!

Mammatalk said...

I am having some serious nap envy. And, this completely relates to my post today.

Mama-Face said...

What a good mommy you are. I think I leave that same comment every time. It's just so true.

Oh, to have super power-like energy!

I'm sure your thank you prayer is just as if not more so sincere than any prayer offered.

Anonymous said...

DUDE! You're the smartest mommy alive! That's worth a risk of lightning any day! I think I shall have to steal this prayer and use it to my own ends....mwa ha ha ha ha.

Aquaspce said...

You are so funny, I say that so often, but only 'cause it's true!!!!!

Jo said...

Oh this makes me smile. Now I know where Miles gets his brilliance and creativity.
And as one who has crossed over into "quiet time" vs. nap time, I have to tell you, it's not that bad. Sure, the legos, lincoln logs and puzzle pieces will ALL be out by the time it's over. But that's when you put them to work cleaning up...and use the age old mantra of "if you can get it out, you can put it away!

Stephanie said...

oh, how I love you Heather. What a clever genius you are. :)

Jen said...

Really, this works? Hayden is at that point of rest time only and every so often he will sleep. If this works I am going to pray it every single day. I would love for him to sleep during nap time.

Muthering Heights said...

That's hilarious! I may have to use that idea...

a Tonggu Momma said...

The first time the Tongginator really, truly understood prayer was when I prayed with her, "Lord, please help the Tongginator use the potty." That's when she truly got it - the praying, not the potty. Sigh.

WILLOW TREE said...

High FIVE my friend. Love this!

Blessings,
C~

H-Mama said...

that is so, so, so sweet. ;)

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

You are brilliance incarnate. My girls no longer nap and it is a constant source of sadness to me. Rest time just isn't quite the same.

Dedee said...

~snigger~

So, you are one of the people I really should read through more than once a week because then I get back to all of these phenomenal posts and I get all overwhelmed trying to respond. However, I will say, you are doing a wonderful job of keeping me sane and going as a parent with your posts. You're fabulous!

Debbie said...

I just love you so much:)

Roban said...

I think He would be proud of your creativity! What a great idea... my prayers with my daughter didn't get quite as much accomplished!

Roban

charrette said...

This? Is brilliant. I can't believe I never thought of it. I swear, yesterday I actually prayed, Help me not to hate the city planners who came up with all these inane dead-end streets...

I think God understands.

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