Ministered in Motherhood — Am I Too Comfortable?
We all know that sleep is precious. We love a good nap and a good night’s sleep. As a new parent, sleep becomes a luxury. When it comes, you don’t want anything to disrupt it. When your baby finally falls asleep, you tiptoe trying not to make a sound and curse any loud noise you hear. I’ve learned to be quiet and to avoid being around the noise; what I haven’t learned is how to be uncomfortable.
I love contact naps (when my baby falls asleep on me). What I don’t love is when my baby falls asleep on me and I’m in an uncomfortable position. If he falls asleep while I’m standing and I try to sit down after 20 minutes, boom — he wakes up. If I’m lying down and try to move because my neck is getting sore, boom — he wakes up. Every time I try to make myself comfortable, he wakes up.
After having this happen yet again, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “As a parent, you make yourself uncomfortable so that your child can be comfortable, the same way that I made Myself uncomfortable for you.” After hearing this, I felt extremely convicted! The Holy Spirit showed me yet again what it means to be a loving parent.
He reminded me that His love for us not only allows Him to feel discomfort but to feel pain. God made Himself uncomfortable, sending His only son to be hung on the cross so that we can have eternal life so that we can have peace that surpasses understanding so that we can be joyful despite all circumstances.
From now on, when my baby falls asleep on me, and I’m uncomfortable, I’m going to think twice about moving. I’m going to ask myself: Is my comfort worth disrupting my son’s sleep?
If you aren’t a parent and can’t relate to this, imagine someone disrupting your sleep just so that they could be comfortable?! I don’t know about you, but I would be extremely annoyed! If you’re still struggling to relate to this, consider asking yourself these questions:
- Is there an aspect of my life where I’m too comfortable?
- Is my comfort making those around me uncomfortable?
- What’s stopping me from getting out of my comfort zone?
When I think about comfort and wanting to stay in my comfort zone, these are two scriptures that come to mind:
- “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT
- “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24 NLT
I pray that this blesses you! Thanks for reading.
