Even though we’ve entered into the new year, everything seems the same. We had a rough year. Truth be told, we’re still in this rough “year” which explains why the newness of 2007 seems the same as 2006. Both Evers and I are still experiencing sleepless nights because of the little ones waking up. Our 7-month old Calissa for the past several nights has been waking up really early due to a stuffy nose. Naturally, I was up with her trying to console her. I nursed her and then held her. There’s something about holding her that ebbed out all frustrations of being woken up in the middle of the night. Even though I was tired and extremely groggy, I enjoyed that sweet moment of holding her and cuddling with her. It was especially comforting to me that I was able to console her and that she felt secure and loved in my arms. I didn’t always feel this way. Being woken up in the middle of the night is very jarring for most and it is certainly not welcomed. Calissa woke up really early again this morning and refused to go back down. I desperately wanted to sleep. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to get up with her. Robbed of my much needed sleep, my natural inclination was to be frustrated, but I remembered my previous night with her, cuddling and enjoying her. I decided to rid my frustration and try to do the best I can to console her.

When my husband woke up later and told me that he was up in the middle of the night with our 2 1/2 year old. He too, was tired from insufficient sleep. We chatted for a bit and agreed that since our children need us in the middle of the night, we will forgo any frustration of being woken up in order to meet their needs. This is our lot and we will accept it. This sure sounds a whole lot like what Elisabeth Elliott would say.

Parenthood is not the easiest lifestyle. It means self-denial. It involves giving ourselves to our children on a daily basis. This isn’t easy, based on my own experience. I’m currently reading Gary Thomas’ book Sacred Parenting and the premise of his book struck a chord with me:

We must see parenting as a process through which God purifies us – the parents – even as he shapes our children. (chapter 1, p. 19)

The trials we experience are making us more holy. From the eternal perspective, we should be thankful instead of being frustrated. Thomas writes:

In the good and the bad they [our children] mold our hearts, shape our souls, and invite us to experience God in newer and deeper ways. Although we may shed many tears along this sacred journey of parenting, numerous blessings await us around every bend in the road. (Chapter 1, p. 21)

Despite sleepless nights or other trials in life with the wee ones, there are definitely many blessings and joy in this journey. And I’m glad for those.