Sleepover At Grandma’s House

I’m going to sleepover at Grandma’s house.
We’re going to stay overnight at Grandma’s house.
I like to sleep in the big kid’s room. (formally the big girl room until I had grandsons)
I will bring my suitcase.

These are things I have heard my grandchildren say when they are getting ready to sleep over.
It’s fun for them.
It’s delightful for us.
It is home away from home, as it should be.

A date night was scheduled for my daughter and son-in-love.
We would have their four children from Friday overnight until Saturday.
The kids were so excited, since sleeping over at Grandma’s house is a big treat.
My husband teases that he is simply a resident guest, since the house is always, Grandma’s.

The three older ones rang the doorbell, which is always something they want to do.
For some reason, seeing us answer the door at the sound of their ring, brings them great joy.
They came inside, and after hugs, went right over to all of the toys.
Their mom came in through the other door carrying our youngest grandson in her arms.

Their dad brought all the suitcases upstairs and put them on the window seat.
All three would be sleeping in the same room.
Twin beds, plus one cot, would be their sleeping arrangements.
The youngest would be across the hall in the crib.

After goodbyes were said to their mommy and daddy, they went into serious play.
The family room looked like it did when my children were young.
Toys were set up everywhere.
The youngest is side stepping along everything and cruised around the room.

Dinner and dessert were enjoyed.
It was time to put the youngest to bed.
When I came downstairs, it was read aloud time for the other three.
Soon, it was bedtime for them as well.

One granddaughter is six years old and the other is four years old.
My grandson will be three years old in January.
He slept in the same room as his sisters when we were at the beach.
He thought it was fun to do it again at Grandma’s house.

They each took favorite stuffed animals off the shelf.
The oldest chose the Velveteen Rabbit and put it in bed with her, along with some books.
The four year old chose Angelina Ballerina and the Runaway Bunny as her bedtime friends.
My grandson chose Kermit, Grover, and Elmo to sleep next to him.

It didn’t matter that they each brought their favorite toys from home.
When at Grandma’s house, they have to chose some of Grandma’s things.
Children always have so much to say at bedtime.
All three were talking, as I listened to them one at a time.

The four year old said, Grandma, will you check in on us before you go to bed?
Mommy and Daddy do that every night, she added.
She has stayed over many times before, but this was the first time she ever said that.
Of course I will; I will check on you right before I go to bed, I reassured her.

But don’t wake us up! She said emphatically, as I stifled a giggle.
Oh, I won’t, I told her with my most serious face.
As promised, I checked in on them before I went to bed.
All were sound asleep, with their favorite things around them.

He will not let your foot slip—
He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
The Lord is your shade at your right hand;   (Psalm 121:3-5)

I thought of how the Lord watches over us.
He never sleeps; He never slumbers.
We are never out of His gaze.
We can talk to Him about everything; He listens to all of us as if there was only one of us.

I walked down the hall smiling at the truth that was lived out before me.
I watched over my grandchildren, but then had to go to sleep myself.
God watches over us and is always awake.
He always knows where we are and how we are doing.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

Sweet sleep.
A gift from the One who never slumbers.