As single moms, there are different things that we battle with when raising children. One thing that I struggle with at times is getting my daughter to sleep in her room. She always seems to want to be in and sleep in my room. When I ask her why she always wants to be in my room her response is “because I want to be near you”. I find this response odd sometimes because she enjoys being in my room when I am not in there. One day when I was reflecting on this and trying to determine whether allowing her to sleep in my room at times would delay her from sleeping in her room consistently at an older age, God reminded me of my childhood. While reflecting, God revealed to me how I was just like my daughter when I was her age. This memory reminded me of the comfort I felt when I was next to my mom or sleeping next to her. I also thought about the comfort someone can feel when God’s presence is felt. I know for myself I never want the feeling to leave.
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76After this revelation, I realized that my daughter’s behavior is her way of staying connected to me and being in comfort. When you are comfortable you are in a safe space. This made me think about the story of Hannah, Samuels’s mother, which can be found in 1 Samuel 1:2-2:21. In short, Hannah could not have children as a result she prayed to God for a child. In her prayer, Hannah promised to give the child back to God for his works if she was given the opportunity to have one. God answered Hannah’s prayer and she bore Samuel. Once Hannah nurtured and weaned Samuel, she took him to be raised in the church before God. Hannah did her part of raising Samuel giving him the tender, love, and care he required before being old enough to be raised before God.
In this day and age, we are the physical and spiritual comfort (safe space) for our children. Unlike Hannah, we cannot take our children to be raised by the church. Because of this fact it’s important to identify and reflect on the root of the battles we face. God revealed to me that I am my daughter’s comfort and allowing her to sleep in my room from time to time is what makes her feel comfortable and safe during this point in her development. Today I encourage you to go to God for guidance. As He did for me, he will bring revelation for you.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4