Grow: Morning Surprises

Ever wake up a little bit grumpy, but then remember you have something great planned for the day? The day goes from partly cloudy to mostly sunny because of a change of perspective.

One evening in an attempt to get Aly to fall asleep, we promised a little surprise under her pillow in the morning. What it was going to be, we had no idea. But we knew that a surprise might motivate her sweet stubborn heart to want to sleep.

In the morning, she remembered the promise of a surprise under her pillow, ran back to her bed, and found something simple, but fun. A stick puppet.

Much to OUR surprise, this "I'm not a morning person" girl was quite chipper and excited. The day went better long after the "surprise" was interesting to her anymore. So we did it again a few nights later, this time not telling her there would be a surprise. She just woke up and found it.

So now, every now and then, we'll make something simple out of stuff we have lying around to communicate to our kids that we think about them after they go to bed, and to remind them that we care.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.