Amaze your kids: A Jesus perspective on interrupted naps

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”  Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” – Matthew 8:23-27 (NLT)

Ask any new parent or parent of young children how they are doing, and you’ll likely get the same answer. “I’m tired!”

Let’s face it, raising children takes an incredible amount of energy, and the kids are not exactly helpful in maintaining normal sleep schedules.

I bet Jesus felt a lot like a parent of young ones. His born-again followers demanded his time, attention, and energy 24/7. They had a million questions, needed to be fed (both physically and spiritually), and He had to repeat Himself over and over. They continuously dumped dirty messes in His lap, and He hardly ever heard a “thank you” for cleaning them up. And sleep? Psshhh. He tried to get naps in here and there, but someone was always waking him up needing SOMETHING. Sound familiar?

Take the example above. Jesus had just preached a long sermon, healed a bunch of folks, climbed down a mountain and had a lengthy journey (i.e. worked a full day). All He wanted was to grab a little nap in that boat.

As soon as there was trouble, who did the disciples go running to? I mean, come on. These guys were experienced fishermen! Surely they knew what they should do, but instead they immediately wake up “Dad”.

Jesus fixes everything, and the disciples were AMAZED.

Guess what, Mom and Dad? That’s how your kiddos see you.

Every time you fix that broken toy, find the lost blankie, kiss a boo-boo, or open a box of snacks…you are a miracle worker to your babies. New mama, every time you pick up that crying infant and soothe him, you are AMAZING in his eyes.

As exhausting and irritating at times it can seem, you are performing miracles in the eyes of your children. If you can remember that every time your nap is interrupted, you might even amaze yourself.