Last night was a rough night for my little 17 month old. She was so tired and out like a light at 7 p.m. Then at 10 p.m. she decided it was time to get up. She’s usually a really good sleeper, but last night she wanted to play at 10 p.m.

We decided at the beginning of our parenting journey that night time is exactly what it is. Night. Time for sleep, not playing.

After a few hours of rocking, changing diapers, making sure she was warm/cool enough, a bottle, and even dosed her with tylenol to make sure she wasn’t in pain…. she wanted to play and was getting mad that we wouldn’t let her. So we did what I hate; let her cry it out.

As any parent will tell you, the sound of your unhappy child is painful. It made my heart hurt for her. I wanted to take away whatever it was that she was upset about. The problem was, we didn’t know.

“What are we doing to her emotionally not going to her? What if she’s thinking why aren’t you coming?” I asked my husband as I paced the bedroom.

“We are teaching her that night time isn’t for playing. We are teaching her that she can’t always get her way. We have met all of her needs. She is ok Heather. I know it’s painful to hear her upset, but it’s a lesson she has to learn.”

My wise husband is right. And suddenly I though of God as our father.

When we aren’t getting what we want, do we throw temper tantrums trying to convince God that we know what is best for ourselves? Sometimes our pain of not having answers makes us angry and we cry out, wondering where is God our father.

As I watched her on the baby monitor I realized that in reality God is right there with us too. He’s not watching on a baby monitor, but He is right there beside you.

He is hurting that you are hurting. He allows you to endure the pain or the unknown because He knows that you will learn an important lesson or gain strength.

Slowly my daughter calmed down and she sat in her crib. I felt the urge to go to her one more time. As I scooped her in my arms and rocked again I felt her relax. Finally after a few hours of her unusual behavior she has fallen asleep.

God waits for us to be calm and ready to accept him. Then He too scoops us up in His arms and tells us it will be ok.

The next time you feel like you are out of control and lost wondering where did God go, remember a toddler who has had a rough day and the love their parent has for them.

God has the same love, only stronger.

Keep smiling friends! ????