Put Some Socks On

By Lynn Ludwick

My son Sean often woke at night crying. He was six and his legs hurt. “Put some socks on me, Mommy,” he pled. I complied, though certain the whole concept was in his head, a mere childish notion. I would have put on his hat, coat and gloves if he asked, for the sooner we both returned to sleep, the happier mommy I’d be in the morning. Once his socks were on and I’d given another round of hugs and kisses, he drifted into to a peaceful sleep.

I eventually learned that Sean suffered from growing pains—not an old wives’ tale after all. The socks’ warmth and constriction helped his legs.

On a Sunday morning not too long ago my alarm rang and everything in me longed to ignore it. I didn’t feel like dealing with the world that day, but I knew better and pulled myself out of bed. Once at church, a fellow choir member asked how I was doing. I told her I needed to put on some socks. My story of Sean dispelled her puzzled look and though she didn’t hand over a pair of socks, she did dispense a warm hug. And throughout the morning the worship music, the sermon, and greetings from my church family encouraged me. God’s love wrapped me snug and secure. He used music and people, but there was no discounting the Holy Spirit hug I felt to the depth of my soul. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

My son eventually outgrew his leg pains. But I know I’ll never be rid of growing pains, though of a different variety. And mere day-to-day living becomes a growth process. My body and my emotions come with their own set of growing pains. Sometimes I grow weary, and sometimes discouraged. If I’m not careful, I might also grow bitter or resentful. What I really want is to grow more Christlike. “To this you were called…that you should follow in his steps.”1 Peter 2:21

I smile when I remember Sean’s unusual nighttime request. He knew what he was talking about, and voiced his need. I pray that as I grow weary, discouraged, or uncertain I’ll voice my needs to my heavenly daddy. I’ll ask Him to put some socks on me by whatever means He chooses—a sermon, a Bible verse that comforts me, or the arms of a friend who senses I need some encouragement at the moment. And I also pray I’ll be available to put socks on other people when I notice them experiencing their own growing pains.

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52

Lynn Ludwick writes from Medford, Oregon. lynniegirl45@hotmail.com