Every night Team Woods has a bedtime routine. Sometimes it goes smoothly, while other nights it’s nothing short of a train wreck. What begins with the best intentions always runs the risk of blowing up in our faces and ending in complete meltdown. But I suppose that is life on the edge, and that is where we live. But the nights that go smoothly make for quite precious memories.

After all bladders are drained and all teeth are brushed, we read the Bible together, we talk about what God’s Word can teach us, we tell stories, tickle, wrestle, and pray…the whole gambit. Sometimes there are detours and tangents. And sometimes we have to divide and conquer, but time together is always the plan.

I always love to sing my kids to sleep and sometimes they still let me…always with specific requests though. Sometimes they want “Jesus songs,” sometimes “Daddy songs” (Slingshot57), and sometimes songs Daddy wrote just for them (which still qualify as Daddy songs, I suppose). Calla usually wants me to make up songs and stories on the fly. Ezra usually wants me to tell funny stories that are “to be continued.” He also has a tendency to grill me theologically and pepper me with questions about aliens, and most nights he’ll remind me of his hopes/expectations of someday flying. Lilah, well, she just doesn’t care yet as long as she can hold onto my nose (there’s plenty to hold on to).

I love bedtime. It’s incredibly special time for us. No matter what the day has been like, I don’t want to miss it.

I struggle when I do. Crystal can magically pull it all off without me, but I hate missing bedtime. I miss snuggles, giggles, and songs, but mostly, I miss our “daily recap.” After reading an Andy Stanley book a while back, I was challenged to ask my kids some questions each night…and the conversations that come from them have been pivotal. I want a pulse of what is going on in their heart, so I ask four questions.

How’s your heart?

Did anything happen today that made your heart hurt?

What was the best part of about your day?

What was the toughest part of your day?

Sometimes the answers are short and sweet, but sometimes they are real and raw. I’m reminded how complicated life can still be at 5 and 8. They are learning so much, so fast and wrestling with where they fit into their world. It’s on me to help them process their pain, forgive and let God redeem it.

They are learning who they are. I have the distinct privilege, joy, burden, and mantle of responsibility of shaping and informing these precious young hearts and minds, of not just who they are, but whose they are. So every night, bedtime ends with these words…

I love you.

I’m proud of you.

I’m thankful for you.

I believe in you.

Every night my children hear me say those words. Every night they react a bit differently. Sometimes they reply to each statement with the same sentiments. Sometimes they breathe heavy followed by an exasperated “I know.” Sometimes they just look back at me and smile…sometimes their eyes are already closed as they are snuggling in. But always, those are the last words they hear from me before falling asleep. Always, those are the words I pray are settling in on their hearts as they settle into bed. Always, those are the words I want them remembering because I want them to know how their Daddy feels about them. And hopefully that helps them know how their Father in heaven feels about them. I don’t want them to ever wonder.

Don’t underestimate the power of simple truths spoken into young hearts.

What are some routines that you have that make the most of the moments you have?

How are you shaping young hearts and minds with your words?