Ernest Smith

Last week, we had an experience that we have never had at the Smith household.  Just after 3am, Sara and I were awoken by cries and shouts of “momma” coming from my son’s bedroom.  Since I so clearly heard him say “momma” I thought it was best if Sara got out of the bed to see what was wrong.

Next thing I knew, I heard Wyatt’s whimper getting louder and louder as the two of them approached our bedroom.  I knew something had to be wrong.  Wyatt is almost 3 years old and he has never woken up in the middle of the night and needed us.  He has never cried and called out for us at 3am.  So the fact that Sara was bringing him into our bedroom at this time of night, there must be something wrong.

She then informs me that he has a stomach bug.  She didn’t say those words, but I know some of you may have a queasy stomach, so I’m sparing you the details.

After changing his sheets, clothes and pillows and washing him off, we put him back to bed.  Within just a few moments, the stomach bug showed itself again.  By this point, it is catching up on 4am and Sara has to be up in less than 2 hours for work.  The good thing with this second incident was it was not as severe.  This was a blessing because we had no more sheets.

We changed the pillow cases again, his clothes and washed him off.  I then told Sara that I would lay with him and try to get him to go to sleep.

After one more episode, and over 2 hours after the initial one, I began to think about just how much I love my son.  I was not getting any sleep.  I was lying in a bed that definitely was not built for a guy six feet tall weighing 175 pounds.  I was lying on the side of the bed that had a little “stomach bug” residue left from the second incident and Wyatt kept kicking me, thinking he was playing a game.

I knew this was going to be a long night and an even longer day.  However, I knew that there was no other place I wanted to be than right beside my son who was having a hard time.  I knew my love would not allow me to do anything else.

Love compels you to do the unthinkable.  Love compels you to do the undesirable.  Love compels you to do what you must do to care for others when they are in need.

It’s easy, however, to do what I did for my son.  The question is, “Am I willing to do whatever is needed to show others that I love them?”  Will I share my faith with those who don’t know Christ?  Will I give up my time, money, and other resources to help those in need because of love?  Will I do that which makes me uncomfortable to show love to those God places in my life?

I hope that I am never woken up by the cries of my son again.  I hope I am never cleaning up the stomach bug at 4am.  I hope I never have to sleep in my son’s bed again.  But, if it does happen again…I will do it all over again, because…

Love Compels

What have you been compelled to do by love?

Who is God calling you to show greater love to?