Things That Go BUMP in the Night
“Mom!”
I knew I heard my daughter calling me but the lazy dream I was enjoying wasn’t letting me go.
“MOM” I heard her desperate voice this time and sprang straight up in bed. My heart was pounding from 20 cc’s of adrenalin flooding my chest. It was pitch black in my bedroom. The clock radio glared 4:30 a.m.
“What is it?” I whispered frantic, stumbling from bed toward the light switch.
“Mom, there is something in my bedroom.”
Do you see this cat? It is NOT mine. This is Cleo (belongs to the neighbor four doors up the street) and she jumped on my daughter’s bed at 4:30 a.m. You are probably asking yourself how this cat managed to gain entrance into our house in the wee hours of the morning and how it knew precisely which bedroom belonged to my animal loving daughter.
Well, this sassy feline pushed her way through two dog doors to get in the laundry room. She then walked pass my old Dalmatian who was asleep in the office. She slipped by my bedroom and my small yippy dog who sleeps on the bed, (of course). Sheesh! So much for guard dogs!
Then this Queen of the Cats sauntered across the entire expanse of our living, dining, and family room down the hall to where my daughter was fast asleep in her pink princess bed. Side note -My daughter would be mortified if she knew I was telling you as a twelve-year-old she still has a princess bed.-
As I ran down the hall with my daughter, looking for the nighttime intruder, I asked my child, “Were you scared when the cat jumped on you?”
She said, “No, not really.”
I was relieved by her answer but didn’t really have time to think about the implication until later. I found myself coaxing the mangy beast from under the bed and tossing her out the front door. My daughter was all grins, tickled by the surprise visitor. I didn’t find the cat antics quite so humorous.
What I did discover from this nocturnal adventure was evidence of my daughters faith. She prays.
A few days following our pre-dawn drama I asked my daughter why she wasn’t afraid of things that go bump in the night. She said to me, “Mom, I pray at night when I’m scared.”
Aaah, Music to a mother’s ears.
I taught my child to pray when she was frightened at night.
As believers we know there is a spiritual world where we face an enemy we cannot see. Learning what to pray when we are frightened is key to overcoming our fears and living triumphant lives. This is what Jesus wants for us. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
When I was a child I wish I had learned how to pray in the still darkness of the night. Today, I know how to pray. I can defeat the enemy. Things that go bump in the night no longer leave me sleepless and worried.
In the wee hours of the morning when fears assault, I lean upon God’s word and His truth. Psalm 91, also know as the 911 prayer, gives me peace. Read it. It is powerful.
I also cling to 1 John 4:4 (King James Version) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Then pray:
Lord God, I approach your throne with Jesus at my side. It is by his blood that I bind the enemy of fear. I ask you Lord to dispatch angels with swords drawn to stand at each doorway in my home. I ask you Lord for a hedge of protection to surround us. Lord, I KNOW greater are You who live in me than he that lives in the world. By the Redeeming blood of Jesus I ask these things, Amen.
Have a blessed and powerful day (and night) in the name of Jesus.
Amen to that. Yes, fear can grip us sometimes (I have an issue with driving), but I usually pray the prayer of prayers – the Lord’s prayer. I like the prayer you are sharing with us today 🙂 I have to remember it when fear grips me driving.
Blessings to you and yours…
Because Jesus lives in our life, we do not fear anything. Thank the Lord.
911 prayer! Fantastic…Lol..I need to mark it as that! Lol…and that prayer…wow! I usually do the Lord’s Prayer but that..that is a great prayear too!
As a parent of five I identify with the horror of being awaken at night by a child. My children are grown and I am finding that they have stronger faith than I do at times. My 19 year old son is facing surgery tomorrow. He may loose his thumb on his left hand. I am on edge to say the least. I know God is in control but I want to spare my son the pain of loosing a thumb. Here I am telling him things will be ok and getting a prayer cloth for him at Church and doing all of the “mommy” things to keep him from stress. He tells me “Mom, it is OK, if I loose my thumb I can still serve the Lord. With or with out the thumb he still is willing to do whatever God ask him to do.
My favorite verse is Psalms 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all of my fears”. How awesome our God is!!!!!
“enter me”
I still struggle with nighttime fears. I will remember your daughter’s faith the next time my “bump” comes in the night. Now I’m off to read Psalm 91 as I close this day and slip into the night with thoughts of God alongside.
peace~elaine
please “enter me”
I have found that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is not to teach them “It’s okay, mommy’s here” but “it’s okay, Jesus is here” sounds like you’ve done an excellent job conveying that to your daughter! cool cool cool!
*enter me, please!*
I love this:
Lord God, I approach your throne with Jesus at my side. It is by his blood that I bind the enemy of fear. I ask you Lord to dispatch angels with swords drawn to stand at each doorway in my home. I ask you Lord for a hedge of protection to surround us. Lord, I KNOW greater are You who live in me than he that lives in the world. By the Redeeming blood of Jesus I ask these things, Amen.
Praise God! What a wonderful devotion! It truly lifted me up and blessed my soul! Have a blessed day!
Cute story about the cat! What a surprise that must have been for your daughter.
When I was a child my parents taught me to pray when I was afraid and I can still see the picture The Lord put in my mind at the time of him holding me. It was a precious and comforting picture that still brings comfort today.
Today I find myself less afraid of physical things (like monsters under the bed or “bad guys” outside my window) and more conscious of the internal fears, like fear of illness and car accidents and something dreadful happening to my kids. But, PRAISE GOD, he is the Victorious One who conquers all my fears and still holds me in safety. As God teaches me to cast all my cares in Him because he cares for me, I can learn to rest in safety with peace of mind and heart.
God bless you!
Reese
Great post! Amen. I also quote this verse:
“And they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
Please Enter Me
Fear comes in so many different shape and sizes. But we can overcome through Him!! I totally believe in the power of prayer!!
In His Graces~Pamela
PS-Enter me!!
Thanks Lynn for such a true life story.
As a mother of 3 I am still teaching that lesson. I am still working through it myself. We often go to Psalm 91 as nightmares grip my 6 year old and my 2 year old cries in the night. My teenager seems to have it better. It is faith growth when we can pray until the fear fades. Your daughter’s testimony gives me hope that my family will get to a place where we are not afraid by things that go bump in the night!
Please Enter Me
Lisa E
I used to have horrific nightmares (still do once in a while, but much less frequently) and I didn’t know how to combat them. Then one night when I awoke in a sweaty panic I heard God’s whisper in my heart…”give it to me”. And I did. I prayed for Him to remove the fear and protect me, oh what a good and loving God!!
I love the 911 prayer. That gave me a good chuckle on this dreary morning.
Thanks!
Please, enter me.
Lynn, Your post was answer to my prayer for help with fear today. I am facing an uncertain time and was feeling the tension today in my body and spirit. I read Psalm 91. I love The Message translation that angels will catch you if you stumble; “thier job is to keep you from falling.” That makes me feel better about stumbling in my faith. I will continue to seek God and trust in Him. I know He WILL make a way. Thank you so much! I tell my daughter (4) to pray at night when she is scared also. It is great to see how your daughter has applied that.
I forgot to add:
Please enter me, thanks!
Very refreshing and the prayer is GREAT!!!! I hope and pray that as my teenage son goes through life that he will remember where his strength and protection come from. 2 Timothy 1:7 was a verse that he used to say, when he was very young. Oh…. how we want so much for our children! Your devotions are so good!
Please ENTER ME!
Oh Lynn! This is so timely for me! This morning, before I even read your post here, I opened my Bible, by chance (!) to 2 Timothy 1:7!! I wondered why I was so drawn to this scripture today. The past few nights, my daughter (3) has been waking up “scared”…but I didn’t link the scripture to that event. Then, I come here & WOW!!! This is just so perfect!! I love that you taught your daughter to pray when she is afraid! Thank you, dear friend!!
You know I love it, right? I’m just imagining you putting the cat out. THAT had to be hilarious.
*and now, back to the topic at thand*
Fear is I think one of Satan’s most powerful tools. The older we get, the more we have to fear and it usually sneaks up on us, and comes from inside. I love that you’ve taught to pray instead of accepting the fear. This is timely. What came back to mind is something the Lord told me a week or two or go. ‘The fear you have is lies withing.It is not external.’ 2Tim 1:7 is a great tool – and u know I’m going to read Psalms 91 RIGHT NOW don’cha???
Love ya, Chica
I went back and proof-read that. Let me correct something. *ahem*
“The fear you have lies within. It is internal rather than external.”
(I really DO speak the English language, I promise.)
*back to our regularly scheduled blogging*
Thank you for the beautiful prayer and cute story! It is yet another reminder of the power of prayer and how we can learn through the eyes (and actions) of babes.
Blessings,
Pam
please enter me
Oh yes, I love how prayer sends light to the darkest corners in the room!! Praise God for HIS ways, they are awesome!
In His Grip,
Sherry
PS, Please enter me!
I loved this post. There’s nothing sweeter for me as a mom to know my kids talk to God. Your daughter reminds me to pray when I am afraid whether in bed or out.
Fear is a common struggle I fight. And prayer is the only weapon I’ve picked up that actually works.
Thanks for sharing.
Great story Lynn. I love to see when my children trust in God in their fear. I wish I would always remember to pray in fear myself…
And don’t tell my daughter, but she will probably still be in a princess bed at 12 too 🙂
Amen! I taught my kids to pray at night too (as I still do!). As young as 2 or 3 they could manage to repeat the words with me until they learned them – The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid!
(please enter me today)
Wow, talk about something being right on time! I too have an issue with driving… but Psalm 91, here I come! Thank you for this post. I thank God for His angels and His hedge of protection He provides.
Mylah Luper-Johnson
“Enter Me Please” 🙂
Ok, I must be off a day or something, because today is Thur and I left one yesterday on Tues’ blog. Does that make sense? Anyway, enter me and I hope you’re getting all my entries. 😉
Thanks so much!
Val
Thank you for your devotion. Just the other day, while teaching my preschool class. One of the little one’s told me that they got scared in the middle of the night. “I sang Jesus loves me just like you told us to do when we get scared.” How precious!!! They went on to say, I was still scared but I know Jesus loves me.
This just brought chills knowing the little things we teach children has such a impact on their lives. After they shared their story, other ones wanted to tell about what they do when they get scared.
Some said they pray and others continued to say that they too, sing Jesus loves me.
Precious Oh so Precious are they.
Blessings,
Rachel
~~please enter me today~~~
Please help me.
When I left my blog address at the above post, I mistyped it! Guess, when my 5 year old offered me those Combo’s I should have just said no. They were distracting my typing.
Oh friends, I want to know how to fix it. Still consider myself new to this blogging world.
The right address is http://www.pinklani.blogspot.com
Thank you for helping me out.
Blessings,
Rachel T
~~please enter me~~~~
Your daughter did better than I did: I would have jumped right through the roof if that cat had jumped on me!
I will have to remember the 911 prayer. Thanks!
Enter me today, too please!
I love this post, Jesus calms all of our fears always.
I used to be so afraid of the nighttime…… really afraid to the point of hysteria…… I could never be alone at night, but being single most of my life I had to be alone…….. it continued for years and years…… even after being born-again…….. I at some point began to pray in the spirit before I would go to bed…….. then read scripture outloud and now when my DH is gone over night I put my ipod under my pillow and my ear buds in my ear and listen to the word of God and I sleep like a baby…………He brings peace……..
What a sweet girl you have. I know that feeling – when fear can just overwhelm. It is then that I must trust that He is all He has said He is and will do all He has promised.
I love this post Lynn.
How sweet that you’re daughter has such faith. I hope my own is never tested this way I don’t know if I’d do as well as your daughter did. Great post!
Teaching our children to trust in the protection of our Father, now there is a gift that keeps on giving. Now when they are hit with some tough situations, I love to hear my kids offer to pray for whatever it is – whether it is a friend in need, the selling of our house, schooling or the health concerns for people they have never met. They give it to God and then forget about it because they know it is exactly where it belongs.
Enter me please.
I often wondered about those pet doors, what would keep other critters or intruders from coming and going. Now I know!
It’s puts a smile on our face when we see our children living out their own faith and not relying on ours. A 12 year old Christ-follower in the making!
Thanks for sharing this story.