Embracing The Interruptions (Fatherhood Thoughts)

As a young Father I remember being frequently awakened in the middle of the night by my son. I would open my eyes to see him standing next to my bed, staring at me. It was startling and honestly, a little bit creepy. I would ask him what he needed and it was always something like, "I had a bad dream, I can't sleep, I'm thirsty, I don't feel good..." Whatever the problem was the remedy was always the same - I would either walk him back to bed myself and tuck him in again or simply tell him to return to sleep.

I distinctly remember complaining to some co-workers about these midnight interruptions when some sobering truth hit me. In between my complaints I realized that the time would soon come when he wouldn't come and stand at my bedside any longer. The time would soon come when he wouldn't bring his bad dreams, his hungry belly, or his stuffy nose. He'd grow and figure these things out. He'd have new problems and questions and fears. As a young father I didn't realize how important it was to be present and available for my son in the little things. I was complaining about the interruptions when I should've been embracing them.

Which reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: “Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don’t listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won’t tell you the big stuff when they are big; because to them all of it has always been big stuff.” - Catherine M. Wallace

We have a heavenly Father who is so completely interested in the little things of our lives. The bad dreams, hungry bellies, and stuffy noses all matter to Him. His tender concern over the little things helps us to trust Him even more when the BIG things happen. Why do I trust Him when stage 4 cancer hits? Because I learned to trust Him every other day in all the other ways when he provided again and again and again.

My son is older now and being his father has changed over the years. However, I still remember and cherish those midnight visits. The timing may be different but the premise remains: Instead of complaining about the interruptions learn to embrace them.