When I was little, my mom would tuck me into bed at night. She would always tell me, “Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” I once asked her about bed bugs. She told me not to worry, she kept my sheets too clean for bugs to get be in the bed. When My Beautiful Wife and I started having children, we discussed how to say goodnight to them. We agreed we didn’t want them thinking of bugs in their bed when we turned out the lights. So, when we tucked our kids in bed each night, we told them, “Goodnight, I love you, have sweet dreams!” I still tell My Beautiful Wife the same thing every night.
When we started doing foster care, we knew some of the small children may never step foot in a church again after they left our home. We wanted to introduce them to God in a way they could understand and remember after they left our home. Each night when we tucked our foster children in bed, we would tell them, “Goodnight, I love you and God loves you even more!” We repeated this every night with each child in our home. It didn’t matter if it was me, or My Beautiful Wife, they received the same message. Several children would even repeat it back to us. We know they got the message. If they don’t remember anything about us, they will always have the message in their heart that someone loves them and God loves them even more!
Heavenly Father, thank for the opportunity you gave us to care for Your children in need. I pray that You watch over each of them, protect them, and guide them. Please keep the message, someone loves them and You love them even more, in their hearts and minds throughout their lives!
Do you have a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation in your family? Has it changed over the years? Does it have meaning, or is it just something done out of habit? What new traditions can you start now to ensure each member of your family knows they are loved and that God loves them even more? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment area.
