Thankful For A Known Heart

 Last night Raina was up from 11:30 pm - 4 am. 

Here is a list of things she wanted:

     - yogurt

     - juice, but not in that cup

     - chocolate milk

     -  bandaid

     -  a different bandaid

     - for me to stand up to hold her

     -  a song, but definitely not that song

     - to go outside

     - NOT to take medicine

     - NOT to have anti-itch cream put on her feet t         that were itching

     - pretty much anything else slightly irrational

She was uncomfortable. Incredibly. Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease will do that to you (poor girl) and she simply didn't have the words to tell me the things that were bothering her. So, she strove to find comfort the way she knew how ... by crying and screaming asking for anything she thought of that might make her feel better.

She was difficult because she didn't even know what she wanted or needed. We were trying to figure that out together.

It was frustrating to not know what she truly needed and I felt helpless (and also really, really, sleepy) as I tried to provide her with some comfort and rest.

As I started to get frustrated with all of her demands that weren't actually what she needed (the outside cat did NOT need to come eat yogurt with her. For real.), it made me think of how many times I have been upset about something that wasn't actually what I was upset about - like just yesterday morning when I'd been short with Rob for no good reason because I was frustrated about something else. AND all the times I have wanted someone to fix something, or help me with something, but had no idea what I even needed to ask for. Thank goodness God doesn't get frustrated and short tempered with me.

How thankful am I for a God who knows my heart, and what I need, even when I don't (Mt. 6:8 - "...for your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.") and for the ability to go to Him in prayer at any time - even at times when all I can pray for is peace and strength because I can't specifically identify the "rest" of what I need. 

Raina did eventually doze (somewhat restlessly) from 4-7 after medicine (and exhaustion) won out, and she seems much better and more settled this morning and is back to happily torturing her cat I let her bring inside for a little while.

So, this morning I am extra thankful for answer prayers and a patient God who understands my heart.