Holy Lightning

Love is patient, love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4

“Lord, please strike him with a holy bolt of lightning,” I prayed. “No real damage. Just enough to scorch him a little.”

Okay, so I don’t normally pray for my husband’s ruin, but let me explain what happened.

It was a Friday night when Grace was still four months old. I heard her in the monitor and tapped my husband, mumbling something like, “Grshisup.” He stumbled from the bed and down the hall. I followed to make him a bottle and then flopped back in bed. Minutes later, my sleep bubble burst when Alan stomped in our room. “You’re going to have to take her. She won’t go back to sleep.”

We had a deal. I would feed Grace on weeknights, and he would take weekends to give me a break.

“Did you rock her?” I muttered.

“Yes.”

For at least five minutes?”

“Yeessss.” His patience thin.

I took the baby from him and returned to her room to rock and pray for patience. And that’s when it happened. It’s possible I could have prayed for a small Holy bolt of lightning to strike my hubby. In my sleep-deprived state, anything was possible.

The next morning wasn’t pretty. There were bags under my eyes and darts in them. I readily flung them at Alan. This same scenario repeated itself the next weekend and the next. By this time, Alan and I could hardly stand to look at each other, let alone sleep in the same bed.

Both of us were getting up every night, one to fix a bottle and the other to feed. No one was rested. Alan was a zombie going to work, and I couldn’t understand why he couldn’t handle the weekend feedings.

Finally, we agreed to each handle all the baby responsibilities on our given night, so the other could rest. Did we kiss and make up? Yes, but more importantly I stopped the midnight prayers for lightning. ‘Cause you know – love is patient and all that.

Lord, help me to recognize my husband as a gift and treat him that way. Let me realize that lack of sleep can cause unnecessary arguments. Help me to love my spouse in a way that illustrates patience and kindness. And thank you for not striking me with the bolt, instead. Amen.

3 Responses to Holy Lightning
  1. Sandra B King
    August 30, 2011 | 12:57 pm

    I have not prayed for a Holy Bolt of Lightning before but there are times when I have wanted to do so!!! Ienjoy keeping up with your family. Saw Allen about 2 weeks ago at lunch at Chick Fila.
    Sandra

  2. Amy
    September 16, 2011 | 9:20 am

    I have prayed lightening, but I have vowed to ring his neck on occasion. lol. Then I pray. It does help. Thanks for the encouragement today.

  3. Mercy Over Judgement | Sheep To The Right
    December 6, 2011 | 8:28 am

    […] you ever prayed for God to zap someone? I’ll admit I have. Remember the Holy lightening I prayed to strike […]