Sleeping Peacefully

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: Psalms 63:6-8; 73:23-28

"How does she sleep like that?" Lennon asked, staring at her baby sister. Lennon had been having nightmares that just wouldn't stop. "How is she so peaceful?"

Mom smiled. "I think Lyric feels safe. I think she's pretty comfortable here with us." She shifted the baby in her arms. "If I put her down, then we might have issues."

Lennon wished she could sleep in her mom's arms. She would feel a lot safer then.

"Do you know who holds you when you sleep?" Mom asked, as if reading her thoughts. Lennon shook her head. "Jesus does," Mom said. "He holds each of those who trust in Him as we rest. He watches over us so we can feel peace, sort of like what I'm doing with little Lyric here."

Lennon's face scrunched up. "But I'm not a baby. You really think God holds someone like me?"

"Someone like you, someone like me." Dad stepped into the room. "God watches over us as we sleep." He moved to Mom and sat beside her, stroking his finger along Lyric's cheek.

Lennon looked between her parents. She knew they loved her and would do anything they could to protect her, but she wasn't a baby anymore. She didn't sleep in a crib in their bedroom like Lyric did.

Lennon twisted her hair around her finger. "Jesus is with me in my room when you two are across the hall with Lyric?"

"He is," Mom said.

"And He's there in the middle of the night when I wake up from a bad dream?" Lennon asked.

"He is," Dad said. "He loves us so much He died for us, and He is always present with those who have faith in Him. When we feel afraid, we can turn to Him for comfort and peace. And you can still come to us too, you know. We might have a newborn to look after now, but we're still here for you."

Lennon nodded. "God looks after a lot of kids, huh?"

Dad smiled. "Yes. Many more than we could ever look after."

Mom rocked Lyric in her arms. "And He offers each one the peace needed to sleep like a baby. Like this baby."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Have you ever struggled to sleep at night? Were you worried about something or scared to close your eyes in case you had a bad dream? The Bible tells us that we can find rest in the Lord. Jesus died for us so we could be with Him forever, and He is always with us. Trust Him to give you peace so you can rest, and when you struggle with worried thoughts or bad dreams, ask an adult for help too.
Today's Key Verse:
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV) (Psalm 4:8)
Today's Key Thought:
God holds you as you sleep