Going Through It

One of the books I've been reading to Hamish is called "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" (by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury). This is how it starts:

We're going on a bear hunt.
We're going to catch a big one.
What a beautiful day!
We're not scared.

Uh-uh! Grass!
Long wavy grass.
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no! We've got to go through it!

And off they go through the grass (and various other obstacles) till they reach the bear - who they run away from!

Dealing with prolonged sleep deprivation caused by a restless baby is a bit like this - the only way, in the end, is to go through it. There's only so much you can do to influence someone else's sleep patterns. And trust me, I've tried everything!

I've had this section of the bible floating round my head this week:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:1 - 5)

I'm pretty sure Paul didn't have rough nights with a baby in mind when he wrote this, but I do think I am developing perseverance as I go through this challenging time. The next step is character - I assume he means Godly character - so that's what I'm trying to focus on. It's a great comfort to know that God is at work in me, even when I can't finish a thought or remember what day of the week it is!