find their way
"Just turn on the power and everything is all set. You don’t need to change a thing. I have it on the correct setting and volume."
"If it’s not turned on," she said, "he won't sleep and will be distracted by the children playing outside."
I was babysitting for my niece and nephews and followed my sister's instructions to a T. When it was time to put my little nephew down for a nap, I placed him in his crib upstairs and pressed the button on the box to emit a soothing sound.
Instead, I was startled by the resounding and intrusive noise it made. (Boom Boom Boom Boom!) It was a clamorous, steady drumbeat, over and over again. I questioned my sister’s sanity.
I couldn't believe the baby slept to this, but he did soundly for two hours. Just a few minutes before she arrived home, I checked on him once again, and he was still snoozing peacefully alongside that obnoxious, banging instrument.
When my sister walked in the front door, she looked at me with the strangest expression. “What's that noise?"
"What do you mean? It's the sound machine! I cannot believe he sleeps to that!"
To my complete confusion, my sister put her hand over her belly and doubled over in laughter. She laughed so hard she couldn't talk. Pretty soon I was laughing, too, although I didn't know why.
She was finally able to tell me that the other kids must've turned the knobs before she left, because it was way louder than it should've been and was on the heart beat, not gentle rain, as intended.
We both doubled over once more, until rollicking tears ran down our cheeks.
That baby nephew is now a teen. He doesn't remember being traumatized by the hammering drum, but he laughs when he hears the story.
Despite what's happening in the outside world, regardless of the upheaval that may be occurring inside your home, and in defiance of the unhelpful thoughts that may be shooting around between your ears, I pray this:
That sweet, happy memories fill your mind and joyful tears and smiles, like beautiful sunsets, color your days with awe and hope, and find their way directly into your heart.
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Blessings to you and I hope this song makes you smile!
"The more you laugh, the more you heal your heart."
We grasped hands and held tightly, probably longer than appropriate considering we were mere strangers at the start. But our short yet profound conversation bonded us in a serendipitous way.
"Mind yourself," he said, with a sudden solemnity before releasing his grip. "God bless you."