Arise, cry aloud in the night, at the beginning of the night watches; Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the LORD; Lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones. ~ Lamentations 2:19
We have a bedtime routine in our home. Every night about 7:45 Korey, Joel and I head upstairs. Korey cuddles into bed and I sit at his feet. Joel sits on the floor next to the bed and reads a daily devotional for children. We discuss it and answer any questions Korey may have. This part is hard for me, I struggle to keep quiet and let Joel provide the answers Korey needs. Each devotional ends with a prayer recommendation for the day, and we pray; Korey, then me, then Joel. During the past year of us being a family, Joel and Korey have gone from high-fives at bedtime to hugs, and occasionally, Joel even gets to kiss Korey on top of the head. Joel shuts off the light and heads downstairs. I have my 5 minutes of quiet time with my not-so-little boy. We tell secrets and share oodles of kisses. By this time he can't keep his eyes open.
The last thing I do before heading to my room is stop in Korey's for one last kiss on his warm sleeping cheek and one last prayer.
And the LORD spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.'"
Numbers 6:22-26
This is my prayer for my little one. These six things I ask my Father for my son. Bless him. Keep him; keep him safe, keep him in Your arms, keep him as Your own. Shine Your face upon him; Father, let him reflect You. Be gracious to him; that includes Your mercy and compassion. Father, Your countenance will let him have Your appearance, others will look at him and see You. Peace, meaning harmony, tranquility, or serenity. If this is my only prayer you hear I will be content knowing that my little one, Your little one who you have bestowed to me as a gift, will walk with you always. Thank you, Father for trusting him to me.
