It occurred to me yesterday morning as I was celebrating my 3-month-old sleeping through the night that…I was sad. I missed and longed for our time together in the middle of the night. Strange, huh? In this newborn fog surrounding me I would miss having interrupted sleep! I started treasuring that middle of the night feedings with my first son and yet again with my second. Why, you ask? The story begins with a shower gift. A dear friend of mine gave me a book called, “While They Were Sleeping – 12 Character Traits for Moms to Pray”. I thought it was a sweet gesture, but didn’t really get the full meaning of the gift as I was focused on more practical things like diapers, boppy pillows, and burp cloths. I set it aside with a smile and a thank you note.
Soon, my first son, Will, arrived. One night I woke up while feeding him and realized that I had NO IDEA what had happened in the last 30 minutes! I started to pray that God would help me get through the nights, awake! That is when He answered my prayer.
God recalled that book to my fuzzy brain. I got it out and started to utilize those middle-of-the-night times to pray over my son. Not only did this keep me awake, but also the by-product was a special bond in the dark, still, quiet of the room between my son and me. I started to expand my prayers. Not only did I pray for specific characteristics (humility, teachability, forgiveness, obedience, discernment, purity, responsibility, courage, servanthood and contentment), but also I prayed for his marriage and future bride.
I love sleep, but nothing is better than cradling your baby and praying over him. I just might have to start setting an alarm! Don’t they say sleep is overrated?
- Brittany Bruns
