After the Storms Comes the Light
The storms have cleared.
Just after midnight Tuesday night, we experienced our first thunderstorm in England.
It was a warm night so we had our bedroom windows cracked, but the flashes of lightning in the distance were approaching and began illuminating our bedroom to the point that I couldn't sleep.
I closed all of the windows and shades and settled back in to bed.
Before long the storm was upon us.
Experiencing a thunderstorm from the 3rd floor of a home that is 119 years old and has single-pane windows is much different than from a modern American home.
It was loud, and for good reason.
In addition to thunder, there was marble-size hail pounding the roof and terrace, and we held our breath hoping our windows would survive the violent storm surrounding our home.
At one point I actually crept into the big kids' room and stood there by their beds, watching and waiting to comfort them after the moment I knew they would wake up terrified. (Grace was across the hall from JD.)
That moment never came, though. The storm passed quickly and they stayed in the restful slumber of childhood.
Childhood isn't always restful, though. The storm began about 15 minutes after Gracie finally fell asleep. That's right, our not-quite-three-year-old was awake -- and very unhappy -- until almost midnight.
Without going into too many details, Grace just hasn't been herself since we moved.
Her struggles have been hard on her and hard on the rest of us. She was getting worse, even as we tried everything we knew to help her.
On Tuesday night between Gracie finally going to sleep and the storm beginning, God gave me 15 minutes of quiet for me to pray and search the internet for advice. I needed answers, tools, and hope again.
From what I read, everything she has been experiencing is normal for her age and circumstances, and there were some straightforward things I could do to help her feel happier and more secure.
Wednesday I employed my new strategies and they worked.
Like a charm.
What did I do? Basically I channelled my inner preschool teacher.
She was told in a cheerful and uncomplicated way what would be happening now and immediately afterward.
In addition to continually preparing her like this throughout the day, I also added more simple structured activities like a walk in the park and a simple craft.
What started as each of them designing a "Davis Family Flag," quickly became just happy drawing time. K drew a picture of herself and her brother to hang in their room.
The strategy worked so well that even naptime and bedtime went better than it has in weeks. Gracie still woke up and slept in our room around 2 am, but not in our bed.
We had a much needed calm and enjoyable day and the relief and renewed hope that came with it were rejuvenating for my weary-at-times soul.
I know it was only one day but that's all it can take to turn a situation around. It doesn't mean there won't be more difficult days ahead, but I feel better knowing what can prevent problems and sometimes stop them when they start.
As adults, aren't we often like that struggling and confused young child? Trying to control anything we see in front of us because the bigger or harder things in life feel too powerful to understand or change?
This was a great reminder that God's grace is always waiting for us.
If we seek Him, we can find the peace, clarity, and strength needed to shape our hearts and choices to find a fulfilled life. A life that reflects to others the light and love of God.
After all, storms are going to happen, but beauty abounds in the light.
Just after midnight Tuesday night, we experienced our first thunderstorm in England.
It was a warm night so we had our bedroom windows cracked, but the flashes of lightning in the distance were approaching and began illuminating our bedroom to the point that I couldn't sleep.
I closed all of the windows and shades and settled back in to bed.
Before long the storm was upon us.
Experiencing a thunderstorm from the 3rd floor of a home that is 119 years old and has single-pane windows is much different than from a modern American home.
It was loud, and for good reason.
In addition to thunder, there was marble-size hail pounding the roof and terrace, and we held our breath hoping our windows would survive the violent storm surrounding our home.
At one point I actually crept into the big kids' room and stood there by their beds, watching and waiting to comfort them after the moment I knew they would wake up terrified. (Grace was across the hall from JD.)
That moment never came, though. The storm passed quickly and they stayed in the restful slumber of childhood.
Childhood isn't always restful, though. The storm began about 15 minutes after Gracie finally fell asleep. That's right, our not-quite-three-year-old was awake -- and very unhappy -- until almost midnight.
Without going into too many details, Grace just hasn't been herself since we moved.
Her struggles have been hard on her and hard on the rest of us. She was getting worse, even as we tried everything we knew to help her.
On Tuesday night between Gracie finally going to sleep and the storm beginning, God gave me 15 minutes of quiet for me to pray and search the internet for advice. I needed answers, tools, and hope again.
From what I read, everything she has been experiencing is normal for her age and circumstances, and there were some straightforward things I could do to help her feel happier and more secure.
Wednesday I employed my new strategies and they worked.
Like a charm.
What did I do? Basically I channelled my inner preschool teacher.
She was told in a cheerful and uncomplicated way what would be happening now and immediately afterward.
"Good morning Gracie! How did you sleep? Okay, now we're going to have some breakfast and then we're going to change clothes and brush our teeth. After that you can watch a cartoon while Mommy does some things around the house."
What started as each of them designing a "Davis Family Flag," quickly became just happy drawing time. K drew a picture of herself and her brother to hang in their room.
The strategy worked so well that even naptime and bedtime went better than it has in weeks. Gracie still woke up and slept in our room around 2 am, but not in our bed.
We had a much needed calm and enjoyable day and the relief and renewed hope that came with it were rejuvenating for my weary-at-times soul.
I know it was only one day but that's all it can take to turn a situation around. It doesn't mean there won't be more difficult days ahead, but I feel better knowing what can prevent problems and sometimes stop them when they start.
As adults, aren't we often like that struggling and confused young child? Trying to control anything we see in front of us because the bigger or harder things in life feel too powerful to understand or change?
This was a great reminder that God's grace is always waiting for us.
Isaiah 58:11 says:
"And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
After all, storms are going to happen, but beauty abounds in the light.
Love this!! Some children just need extreme structure and to know what the day will hold. Isaiah was certainly that way and did not want to veer from the plan for any reason. In time they are better equipped to deal. Love you and miss you!!
ReplyDelete