I need a drink.

I am deeply asleep. the kind of sleep that comes after a week of being  a taxi/secretary/counsellor/singer/decorator/cook/maid/nurse/teacher to all who need these services. I am so asleep that the alarm clock couldn’t reach me if it were my pillow. I am gone.

Somewhere in the house, a little girl has woken up from that same kind of sleep. She is unaware of time or the lack of daylight or the risk factor involved in waking a grumpy momma bear.  She cares not about dark stairwells or creaky floors. Fear is not optional. It has no power to stop her. Quietly, purposefully, with singleness of thought, she walks right into our bedroom and stands by the bed. How long? As long as it takes.

Somewhere, in the absolute depths of my slumber, I am interrupted. There is a pull on my consciousness that cannot be ignored. Something is near me. I take a deep breath and pry open one eye to the darkness. Two eyes greet me. I try not to jump on the ceiling, completely startled out of my pajamas. This child is standing right by my side, staring at me – willing me to wake up – waiting for me to move.

Who’s there?

It’s me, Arwen.

What does the clock say?

4…1…2.

What is it?

I’m hungry. And I need a drink.

???

That’s it. There is no fire or storm or bad dream. It’s a simple case of hunger and thirst. I stumble out of my warm bed and take her by the hand. Down we go toward the kitchen. I flip light switches as Arwen fairly dances by my side. One folded peanut butter & strawberry jam sandwich and cup of water later, Arwen is ready to start her day. I, less so.  But something in this moment has caught my attention. I shake out the cobwebs and start the coffee maker. What’s bothering me? The answer slowly dawns over my second cup of caffeine. My little girl has revealed a great truth without telling me a thing:

It’s time to wake up.

This child awoke to her need and went to find the one person who could fill her. I would not say no. Nothing stood in her way as she purposely drew near and waited. Now I am compelled to ask myself some questions:

 Am I awake to my own need for God?

“Awake sleeper and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Eph 5:14

Do I know how hungry and thirsty I really am?

“Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of my God.” Rev 3:2

Am I going to the right source to be filled?

Jesus puts it like this: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will not hunger and he who believes in me will never thirst  - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.”  John 6:35,  Matt 5:6. My child was willing to get uncomfortable, out of her bed and into the wee cold hours of the morning. She was willing to come right up in my space and wait for me to respond, confident that I would eventually answer. How much more do we need to wake up out of complacency and go to the only One who can truly meet our desperate need?  He will not say no.

Thank you, child. This momma needed your perspective.