"Tuck me in!"

"Daaaaad! Mawwwwwmmm!! I'm ready to be tucked into bed!"

It was our sweet routine. After their bath my son and my daughter, would put on their pajamas, crawl into their beds and call us to 'tuck them in'. We would go to their separate rooms, pray with them and tuck the covers all around their legs and arms while quickly repeating, "tuck, tuck, tuck, tuck." It brought a smile to their faces and cheered our hearts! They always asked for a bedtime story and we'd happily comply. I liked to create my own stories and I made EVERY effort to make sure to end my spiritual allegories on a happy note and squeak in some sort of moral. My wife and I would kiss them goodnight, and then make our way to the bedroom door. As I stood in the doorway, I'd put my hand on the light switch and say, "It's time to rest, so...blow out the light." It was a game we'd play. They would blow at the light and we would pretend that it would flicker (a couple of times for effect) but always go out. It was something fun for them to do; a pleasant memory shared. We would leave their rooms and like clockwork, just a few minutes later, would hear, "DAD? MOM? Can you get me a drink of water?" We were always happy to do it. A sip of water and another kiss goodnight and we left the room. What they didn't know was.....after several minutes, we would sneak in and check on them; just to be sure they were asleep and all "tucked in."

As kids so often do, they matured and grew. They graduated from awesome universities and accepted career positions out of state. My personal quip was: "If you feed them, they will grow! Give them wheels, they will go!" We helped them both to relocate. Our goal was to make sure they were...all "tucked in".

It is heart wrenching and emotionally draining leaving the loves-of-your-life in another town. We long to hear their cars pull into the driveway and the rattle of the keys in the front door lock. When they were living at home, we use to worry why they weren't home. They honored their curfew but we ALWAYS wondered where they were and what they were doing. Now, we can only pray that all we taught them will be remembered and put to good use.

The amazing technology of cellular phones, texts, Skype and email has provided an awesome connection for this generation! It's an immediate contact. We pray with them and for them! We send them prayer-texts all the time! "Prayer IS the key in the hand of faith to unlock Heaven's storehouse."

The sweet childhood routine of 'tucking in', blowing out the light and giving our children a drink of water, for the night, ended looooong ago. Although at times the moment became ......routine, it is dearly missed.

Our Heavenly Father HAD secured a Heavenly home for us. There was plenty of communication between Him and our original parents. Although there was no need to directly 'tuck them in'. He would directly---talk to them. THAT was plan 'A'. ALL of their needs were met. However, instead of VOLUNTARILY leaving Heaven, (like earthly children do), the Father had to KICK them out; banish them and block the gate! Our inherited sinful nature keeps us from re-entering our Home.

Like lovingly bathing our children, God still wants us to bathe afresh everyday in His grace. He yearns for us to talk/pray with Him every night and day. He desires to whisper bedtime stories in our ears. He wants to kiss us every night AND morning. He knows where we are and has given us keys to the Heavenly home. He begs us to call His name, "FATHER! Can I have a drink of water!" He longs to hear our footsteps on Heaven's threshold. I believe His thought is: "Provide grace for them so they can grow. Build a space for them so they can know." Your station in life does NOT matter. Start where you are. Through sin, ALL of us have 'moved' farther from Him than just another geographical state. We have been relocated to our own earthly home; NOT because He hates us....because He LOVES us. Talk to Him. Make it your "Sweet routine." He wants to "tuck you in".

We miss our 'kids'. God misses His kids!! You and me. ~Pray /\