His Nearness is Desirable

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:16

His mouth is sweetness itself^a. There is nothing I desire more than to receive his communication of intimacy for me. Father, let Your Son kiss me with the kisses of his mouth^b. I want to know and experience this love that is better than wine^b. I want spiritual intimacy with my eternal Bridegroom, this one whom I will be married to forever. Let me have an understanding of the deepest things that dwell within his heart. For he is the one I love and the one I desire more than any other. Intimacy with him is sweetness itself – there is nothing so pleasurable and delightful as his love. When my spirit connects with his, it is more powerful than any physical, emotional or intellectual pleasures. I want to be joined to him, to connect with him, to abide in him^c, to have my heart yoked with his. I desire nearness with him above all else. Oh, to be close to him! How I look forward to our wedding day, when there will be a holy consummation, me in him and he in me, with nothing between us any longer^d. What joy there will be on that day when I am made to be a pure and spotless bride for him, without any sin or blemish to hinder our intimacy^e. For then I will be like him, for I will see him as he is – no more barriers, mirrors or veils – I will see him clearly and I will be close to him for endless days^f. What could be greater? What could be better than this?

For he is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved and this is my friend^a. I am completely and hopelessly in love with this man! He is my best friend and the one I wish to spend eternity with. Who am I that he, the very Son of God, would love me and call me friend^g? And yet he does, and in so doing, he has completely won and captured my heart with his amazing love. He is absolutely worthy and deserving of my wholehearted love in return and so I will love him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength^h. I have sought to describe his outstanding beauty – his perfection, his meek leadership, his zealous dedication, his pure vision, his delightful emotions, his life-giving words, his wise works, his tender compassion, his steadfast ways, his shining countenance and his sweet intimacy – yet my words fall so incredibly short and are so inadequate to even portray a glimpse or speak a mere whisper of his loveliness. You have asked me how my beloved is better than other lovers and I have attempted to give you an answer for the hope and joy I have discovered in himⁱ, and yet the only way for you to truly understand is if you find out for yourself. So my question for you now is, would you like to seek after him with me^j?

a Song of Songs 5:16
b Song of Songs 1:2
c John 15:9
d Ephesians 5:31-32; John 17:20-23
e Revelation 19:7-8; Ephesians 5:25-27
f 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:12
g John 15:14-15
h Luke 10:27
i 1 Peter 3:15
j Song of Songs 6:1

His Countenance is Glorious

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:15b

His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars^a. He lifts up the light of his countenance upon me, imparting his goodness and virtues to my heart. He makes his face shine upon me and showers his grace on me^b. When I behold the beauty of his countenance, I receive his peace^c and I am transformed into his glorious image. As I gaze into his face, I become like him and I reflect his glory to the world around me^d. Oh how I desire to become righteous and holy, that I may see his face and be satisfied with the joy of seeing his likeness^e. My heart says of my Beloved, “Seek his face!” And so this very thing I do – I will seek his face^f. Oh that I may look upon him, face to face^g, clearly and without any veil clouding my vision. I want to know him fully, even as I am fully known by him^h.

Oh, my Beloved, let your face shine upon me and save me in your unfailing loveⁱ! As I look to you, would you make me radiant and set me free from shame^j! When I behold your countenance, would you reveal to me the depths of your love for me in the light of your face. When I am discouraged, fearful and ashamed, would you give me the help of your countenance and grant me courage and praise in my spirit^k. Would you give me victory over my enemies by your right hand and the light of your countenance, because of your love for me^l. Shine your light and expose the sin and compromise in my heart^m. For your light has shone out of the darkness and it has shone in my heart, giving me the light of the knowledge of God in your beautiful faceⁿ! Your face is the most excellent, perfect reflection of your Father’s glory. As I gaze on you, would you give me revelation of your Father. Let me see you! Let me behold your face that blazes like flashes of lightning^o and shines like the sun in all its strength and brilliance^p. For in the light of your face is life itself^q. Allow me to drink deeply of the life that emanates from your face and bask in the light of your countenance. May I be impacted and changed by the simple act of looking at you. Satisfy and fulfill the desires and longings of my heart with the beauty of your face. Impart to me all the goodness of your heart and strike me to the core with the splendor of your countenance. Make me like you, Jesus!

a Song of Songs 5:15
b Numbers 6:25; Psalm 4:6
c Numbers 6:26
d 2 Corinthians 3:18
e Psalm 11:7; Psalm 17:15
f Psalm 27:8; Psalm 105:4; Psalm 119:58
g Numbers 12:8
h 1 Corinthians 13:12
i Psalm 31:16
j Psalm 34:5
k Psalm 42:5
l Psalm 44:3
m Psalm 90:8
n 2 Corinthians 4:6
o Matthew 28:3
p Matthew 17:2; Revelation 1:16
q Proverbs 16:15

His Ways Are Excellent

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:15a

His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold^a. His walk is perfect and all his ways are good^b. When he walked the earth, he showed me the way to his Father^c and how I could walk with him. His way is narrow^d and not easy, but he walks next to me, leading me and guiding me down the path of righteousness^e. Everything he does is right and all his ways are just^f. I desire to walk in step and in agreement with him^g, neither lagging behind or running ahead, but walking alongside him in partnership. Even as Enoch and Noah walked with God, so I long to walk with my Bridegroom in intimacy and friendship^h. For he walks with such strength, dignity and confidence, even like pillars of marble stand strong and sure, a display of beauty and faithfulness. Like bases of find gold, his foundation is pure and refined^a. Everything is built upon himⁱ, for he is the chief cornerstone^j. He stands firm and does not waiver – he never changes – he remains the same yesterday, today and forever^k.

His feet are like bronze glowing in a furnace, as if full of fire^l. Everything is under his feet, for he has been given power and authority over all. The earth is his footstool^m and God has placed all his enemies under his feetⁿ. And these feet of my Beloved were pierced for my transgressions^o; they display the marks of his sacrificial love for his Bride and they are the same feet that will trample the nations in the winepress of his Father’s fury^p. He is a conquering, victorious King who will one day tread upon this earth again! How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news^q! And what good news he carried and proclaimed – a message of hope, love, salvation and eternal life for all who would choose to follow in his footsteps. How beautiful are the feet and legs of my Beloved, for his walk and his ways are excellent and steadfast.

a Song of Songs 5:15
b Psalm 18:30
c John 14:6
d Matthew 7:14
e Psalm 23:3-4
f Daniel 4:17; Revelation 15:3
g Galatians 5:25; Amos 3:3
h Genesis 5:22-24; Genesis 6:9; Micah 6:8
i 1 Corinthians 3:11
j Ephesians 2:20
k 1 Samuel 15:29; James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8
l Revelation 1:15; Ezekiel 1:27
m Isaiah 66:1
n Psalm 110:1
o Psalm 22:16
p Isaiah 63:6; Revelation 19:15
q Romans 10:15

His Compassion is Extravagant

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:14b

His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires^a. The deep yearnings of his belly are for his bride. In the depths of his being, he is filled with tender compassion, mercy and desire for me. Though I am weak, sinful, and often mess up, he loves me and even longs to show me mercy and extravagant compassion. Like carved ivory, this quality of his heart is rare and unique – there is no one as kind, patient and gracious as he is^b. He is not like the kings of earth who seek to punish the incompetence of their subjects. He is not looking for any opportunity he can find to scold or discipline me, but rather, he delights in showing mercy^c. I don’t understand this about him, because I often feel so undeserving of such kindness and he is so unlike me, for I am so often quick to judge people, including myself. His love is truly surpasses my knowledge^d!

Instead of accusing, he skillfully and masterfully displays his mercy and extends forgiveness in such a way that it leads me to repentance^e and allows me to enter into his presence without shame^f. His love and compassion cover over a multitude of sins^g, washing me of my iniquity and purifying my heart^h. I can approach his throne of grace with confidence, knowing that I will receive mercy and find grace to help me in my time of needⁱ. Like beautiful and costly sapphire stones, his tender compassion is precious, abounding with the exceeding riches of his love^j. He forgives all my sins and places a crown of his love and compassion upon my head^k. There is no limit or end to the riches of his grace – it cannot be exhausted – for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for me^l. He doesn’t treat me as my sins deserve or repay me according to my iniquity. Instead, he removes my transgressions from me as far as the east is from the west and showers his compassion on me^m. How beautiful is this man, my Beloved! There is none other like him, he is indeed rare, unique and priceless as carved ivory inlaid with sapphires.

a Song of Songs 5:14
b Exodus 34:6
c Micah 7:18
d Ephesians 3:18-19
e Romans 2:4
f Psalm 34:5
g 1 Peter 4:8; Psalm 32:1; Psalm 85:2
h 1 Corinthians 6:11
i Hebrews 4:16
j Psalm 145:8
k Psalm 103:3-4
l Psalm 103:11
m Psalm 103:8-13

His Works Are Wonderful

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:14a

His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite^a. His hands are skillful in doing everything well and with excellence. The works of his hands are blessed and are all done with perfect wisdom^b. He is omnipotent – infinite in power and unlimited in ability and authority^c. He accomplishes every desire and purpose of his heart^d. His arm is not too short to save^e – on the contrary, it is outstretched on behalf of his people to bring them redemption^f. His arm has worked miraculous signs and wonders and his mighty hand has performed great and awesome deeds^g. Like gold, his works are pure and beautiful, righteous and just^h. Like jewels skillfully set, his works are intricate and accomplished with perfection. His works are great and wonderful, I know that full wellⁱ. Indeed, even we are his own workmanship, a masterpiece of his creation, lovingly formed by his very own hands to do the good works that he has prepared for us to do^j. His arm is holy, simultaneously bringing salvation^k and unleashing judgment^l. Yet with these same mighty arms, he embraces me^m and upholds meⁿ. In my weakness, I can lean on him and he will lift me up. Within his embrace I find tender love, comfort, security, safety, and strength. From his hands he satisfies me with good things, providing for my every need^o. Nobody can snatch me from his hand^p. Because his hands are both strong and gentle, I can trust him completely to hold, keep and direct my heart^q.

a Song of Songs 5:14
b Psalm 103:22
c Psalm 89:13; Exodus 15:6
d Isaiah 55:11
e Numbers 11:23; Isaiah 59:1
f Exodus 6:6
g Deuteronomy 4:34
h Psalm 92:4; Psalm 103:6
i Psalm 139:13-15; Psalm 111:2
j Ephesians 2:10
k Psalm 98:1; Isaiah 52:10
l Isaiah 63:5; Isaiah 30:30
m Song of Songs 2:6
n Psalm 37:24
o Psalm 104:28
p John 10:28
q Proverbs 21:1

Jealousy Is A Husband's Fury

In the past several months, I have had a recurring dream where the main theme is relatively the same and the details are just slightly different each time.  In these dreams, I am being approached by a man who begins to flirt with me, flatter me with nice words, tries to make physical advances, and even speaks poorly about my husband.  My response to these men varies – sometimes I listen to what they’re saying, because their flattery sort of makes me feel good, sometimes I react with violence and physically assault them, sometimes I just try to run away, and at other times I have called out to my husband to come to my aid.  My husband’s response was also varied – he was often nearby, but just out of earshot or line of sight – seemingly unaware of what was happening.  In one dream, he approached me and the man who was flirting with me and he began to speak words of love to me and kiss me.  In another dream, he firmly took the man aside and warned him to stay away from me. 

Since I believe that the Lord speaks to me through dreams, I have begun to ask Him what He is trying to say to me, since apparently I’m not getting the message, as He’s having to repeatedly give me the same dream to try and get through my thick skull!    To be clear, I don’t believe these dreams are literal and I don’t think the Lord is trying to warn me about committing adultery against my actual husband – I love my husband dearly and am committed to stay true and faithful to him for all of our days.  What I believe these dreams are, is a picture or analogy for my relationship with my heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus.

In Proverbs, it says that “jealousy is a husband’s fury” and in Hosea, the Lord talks about how he will jealously win back his adulterous wife, Israel, and block her path from going after her other lovers.  In Hosea, Israel’s other lovers were wealth, food, possessions, and worshipping other gods, forgetting her first love.  I think I can often be tempted to console myself that I am not committing adultery against the Lord, because I don’t think I’m being unfaithful or completely giving myself away to other loves.  Yet, what I believe these dreams are suggesting, is that I need to be wary of not just committing adultery, but also of even listening to the flattering words of these other loves that would seek to steal my affections from my Husband, if even for just a moment.  It may seem innocent, but in reality, it is very dangerous.  I don’t know much about what people have experienced when they’ve gone through unfaithfulness in their marriage, but I’m sure it wasn’t a sudden decision to go and commit adultery – it probably began with simply listening to someone’s flattering words. 

I’m beginning to realize that I don’t just want to avoid committing adultery against the Lord – I don’t even want any suitors!  I don’t want to even allow them to whisper their alluring words in my ear.  I want to respond to their flirtation in the same way I would respond in real life if a man approached me.  I wouldn’t stand for it!  I would definitely tell my husband about it and I would clearly let the man know that his advances were unwelcome and to stop, because I’m a married woman!  Similarly, if I think about the things in my life that distract me from the Lord as suitors who are trying to steal my affections from my Husband, I think it would help me to respond to them with a greater severity and sobreity.  These things – whether they be television, surfing the internet, busyness, even doing good things when I know I need to spend time with the Lord – are all trying to flatter me and flirt with me and tell me how much they want to be with me and that I’ll enjoy their company more than my Husband’s.  They try to convince me that they will bring me more joy and satisfaction and that He doesn’t really care about me that much anyways.

Well, if I think about the way my husband would respond if a guy was making advances at me, he would definitely take action if it was required and come to make his claim of me clearly known!  In the dream where my husband came and began to kiss me and tell me he loved me, I felt so affirmed and reassured in his love and it was like a slap in the face of the suitor who had just been trying to convince me that my husband didn’t really care about me.  In the dream where my husband forcefully dealt with the suitor and told him where to go, I was extremely relieved and felt like he had rescued me from a situation where I was feeling weak and not handling it well on my own.  What I believe the Lord was trying to show me is that, if I let Him, He wants to demonstrate His love and affections for me in such a way that it will shatter all the lies of my suitors and will leave no room for doubt about His feelings for me.  He wants to erase any misgivings I may have about His commitment to me and His passion for me.  He wants me to have experiential knowledge of His love for me so that I will never be tempted to find my satisfaction anywhere else.  And He is just waiting for me to ask Him to come to my aid - as my heavenely Husband, He will gladly deal with any suitors and show them that I belong to Him and Him alone!  He will jealously display His Husband’s fury on my behalf and scatter them before me.  All I need to do is look to Him and He will run to my rescue, displaying to me His passion to possess my heart entirely. 

So, for example, if I’m in the very face of temptation and I’m feeling the urge to go rent a movie (I’m not saying watching movies is wrong – only when I know that I need to spend time with the Lover of my soul & to watch a movie would mean choosing to be entertained over intimacy with my heavenly Bridegroom), I could in that moment, lift my voice and say, “Jesus, this movie is flirting with me and trying to steal my affections from You.  I know that it cannot satisfy me and that You are exceedingly superior, yet it’s alluring words are tempting me to be unfaithful to my commitment to love You wholeheartedly.  Jesus, would You come and demonstrate Your jealousy and passion for me right now!  Would You fight for me and speak to me Your words of love so that I will be able to violently resist this suitor and rediscover confidence in Your affections for me.  You are my Husband and I do not want to even listen to the flattery of this suitor.  You are my first and only love.  I am Yours and You are mine!”

His Emotions Are Beautiful & His Words Are Sweet

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:13

His cheeks are like beds of spices yielding perfume^a. His face expresses the emotions that are in his heart. His emotions are wonderful and are only expressed from his absolute emotional wholeness, purity and righteousness. He is filled with joy and delight and happiness^b. He takes great pleasure in me^c and I bask in the warmth and love in his smile. His laughter ministers to my weary and sorrowful heart and brings me healing and joy. He is such a delight to be with^d, as his heart overflows with the abundance of joy he contains in being God and in being my Bridegroom. He is passionate and jealous for me^e. He has longing in his heart for me^f and a zeal to have me for his bride for eternity, completely in love with him and him alone. Yet his jealousy for me is not tainted with sin like the jealousy of men. It is pure, holy and good. When his jealousy consumes him and when he rises in anger towards his enemies^g, still he remains sinless^h. He is in perfect control of his emotions and always acts rightly in response to them. Though he feels sorrow and understands pain and grievingⁱ, he is not overcome by them and always remains hopeful and trusting in his Father. His emotions are lovely, like fragrant spices, delighting my senses – a beautiful aroma. His love for me is like sweet perfume that I can wear and smell and be reminded of his emotions towards me^j. His personality and inner emotional beauty draw me to him and cause me to love him more and more every day.

His lips are like lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh^a. His words are sweet, like honey to the taste^k. His words are spirit and life^l, cutting to the very depths of my heart^m. When I read the words he has written to me, my spirit is quickened and comes alive within me. Grace is poured upon his lipsⁿ and he allures me to himself when he speaks tenderly to me^o. His words are not harsh, demeaning or cruel, but they are kind, loving and healing^p. When I hear his voice, my heart pounds within me^q. His voice is powerful and beautiful, like the sound of rushing waters^r, like the sound of crashing thunder^s, like the brilliance of flashing lightning^t. I will incline my ear and I will listen for his voice^u. I want to hear his words of life and truth. His words are gracious and timely – he speaks a word in season and tells me exactly what I need to hear^v. His words are affirming, tender and sweet like a lily and yet they are also dripping with myrrh, confronting the sin within me that leads to death. He is not afraid to challenge me and use his words like a surgeon’s scalpel to cut away those things that hinder love^m. Though myrrh has the fragrance of death and suffering, it is only the death of my flesh and the wickedness of my heart that he seeks. I will choose to embrace his words, even when at times they may feel painful^w, trusting that he loves me and only speaks them for my absolute good. His words are gracious and more precious than gold or silver^x. I love the words that proceed from his lips and I treasure them in my heart^y.

a Song of Songs 5:13
b Luke 10:21; Luke 15:5; John 15:11
c Song of Songs 4:10
d Psalm 16:11; John 16:24
e Exodus 34:14; Song of Songs 4:9
f Song of Songs 7:10
g Revelation 19:11-16
h Revelation 15:3-4; Revelation 16:5-7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15
i John 11:33-36; Isaiah 53:3; Luke 19:41
j Song of Songs 1:3, 12-14; Song of Songs 3:6
k Psalm 19:9-10; Psalm 119:103
l John 6:63
m Hebrews 4:12
n Psalm 45:2
o Hosea 2:14
p Proverbs 16:24
q Song of Songs 5:2-4
r Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:15
s Job 37:5; Psalm 18:13
t Psalm 29:7
u Psalm 45:10-11
v Isaiah 50:4
w Revelation 10:9-10
x Psalm 119:72
y Luke 4:22

His Eyes Are Like Doves

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:12

His eyes are like doves by the rivers, washed with milk, mounted like jewels^a. My beloved sees all^b and knows all^c. He is omniscient, having perfect wisdom, knowledge and discernment^d. He has clarity of vision, seeing and observing everything with complete understanding and without confusion. He has full insight into my heart^e – he can see the good and the bad – and yet he still loves me! No one can hide from his sight, but all things are uncovered and laid bare before his eyes^f. His eyes are everywhere^g and they search to and fro over the earth, looking and seeking for those whose hearts are loyal to him^h. He searches my mind and heartⁱ, revealing to me the things I don’t even realize are there, for he knows me far better than I even know myself.

He keeps watch over me, for he never sleeps^j. He sees the ways of men, keeping watch over the evil and good^g. He is not unaware of his enemies’ schemes or actions and he knows all his enemies’ strategies, which is why he will foil all their plans and bring them to complete destruction and failure^k.

As a dove does not have peripheral vision, so is my Beloved – he has complete singleness of vision and cannot be distracted by anything that is unpleasing to his Father. His eyes are loyal to God and to his bride. His eyes are totally pure and he views all things through the cleanness of his heart. His eyes are good, filling his being with light^l. He judges accurately^m, for his vision is undistorted, focused and pure. He discerns all things rightly and interprets all he sees correctly. His vision is completely clean and all his motives are pure and lovingⁿ.

His eyes are mounted like jewels, perfectly set^a. They are beautiful, blazing like fire^o. When I gaze into his eyes, they consume me, captivate me, enthrall me and win me. Never have I seen such eyes as his, so full of fiery love, passion, tenderness and kindness. His gaze pierces my heart, looking into the very depths of my soul. The fire in his eyes is his jealous love for me which burns like a mighty flame and which cannot be quenched^p. If I could, I would desire to look into his eyes continuously and search out their depths – to discover and know all the thoughts and emotions that lay behind them.

a Song of Songs 5:12
b Psalm 33:13
c John 21:17; John 16:30
d Isaiah 11:2; Colossians 2:2-3
e Proverbs 5:21
f Hebrews 4:13
g Proverbs 15:3
h 2 Chronicles 16:9
i Psalm 139:23
j Psalm 121:3-8
k 1 Corinthians 15:24
l Luke 11:34
m Jeremiah 23:5; Revelation 15:3-4; Revelation 19:11
n Psalm 145:17
o Revelation 1:14; Revelation 19:12
p Song of Songs 8:6-7

His Head Is Like Finest Gold

A meditation on Song of Songs 5:11

His head is like the finest and purest gold^a. The head of every man is Christ and the head of Christ is God the Father^b. Jesus is completely and joyfully submitted to his Father in everything he does. His only desire is to do his Father’s will^c and to do whatever he sees his Father doing^d. He does nothing by his own accord, but he listens intently to the voice of his Father and seeks to please Him in all that he does, at all times^e. He honors and brings glory to his Father^f because he loves Him fully and perfectly and his Father loves him and delights in him in return^g. Their relationship is of the finest quality – they are in complete unity with each other and the Holy Spirit^h. The Trinity operates in beautiful affection and oneness, the very picture of submission, servanthood and selfless love.

Amazingly, he showers this very same love upon me, his brideⁱ! As the head of his church, he leads me with undying love and he gave his very life for me^j. His leadership over my life, over his church and over the entire human race is absolutely perfect and excellent, like the finest gold imaginable. There is no impurity or mixture in his leadership. Even though he has total authority and power, he is not, nor can he be, corrupted by it^k. Even when I go through trials, persecution or wilderness seasons, I will choose to trust in his leadership, for he is both my Beloved and my King and he is sovereign over my life. He is in complete control^l. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end^m. He will reign over all the kingdoms of the earth, establishing and upholding them with justice and righteousness^m. He will reign with perfect wisdom, ruling the nations justlyⁿ. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed^o.

His hair is wavy and black as a raven^a. As a Nazarite did not cut their hair as a sign of their dedication, so is my Beloved – he is dedicated to God and to me, his bride. He is consecrated unto God, wholly devoted and set apart. He is dedicated to me and committed to completing the work he has begun in me^p. He washes me with the water of his Word – he will make me pure, holy, blameless, radiant and without spot, wrinkle or blemish before he returns^q. He is the author and perfecter of my faith^r and he will conform me to be like himself^s. Even though I am weak and sinful, he will not give up on me, but instead he will pursue me jealously. He is youthful and eternally vigorous in his zeal to win my heart and make me into a pure and spotless bride. He does not grow weary or tired^t, but is full of life and energy in his pursuit of me. He is committed to me for he has made an everlasting covenant with me^u that he will never break and he has betrothed me to himself forever^v. I can have complete confidence and trust in his faithfulness to me^w. He will never leave me nor forsake me^x. He will never stop loving me, for his love is unconditional^y and he gives it to me freely.

a Song of Songs 5:11
b 1 Corinthians 11:3
c John 5:17; John 6:38
d John 5:19
e John 5:30; John 8:29
f John 8:49, 54; John 14:13; John 17:4-5
g John 3:34; John 17:26
h John 14:16; John 14:21-26; John 16:13-15; John 17:20-23
i John 14:21-26; John 17:24-26
j Ephesians 5:25
k Psalm 45:6-7; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26
l Proverbs 21:1
m Isaiah 9:7
n Jeremiah 23:5
o Daniel 7:14
p Philippians 1:6
q Ephesians 5:25-27
r Hebrews 12:2
s Romans 8:29
t Isaiah 40:28
u Isaiah 55:3
v Hosea 2:19
w Hosea 2:20
x Deuteronomy 31:6
y 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Leaf-Turner Update

So, some of you might be curious to know how Justice’s “turning over a new leaf” is going.  So far, I’d say we’ve had more successes than failures, but we’ve come across a couple hiccups in this transition to sleeping through the night.

The first several nights, we would put him down for the night between 7:30 and 8:30 pm and he would wake up around 5:00 or 5:30 am and be hungry and I’d have to nurse him back to sleep - not too bad!  But, I really wanted him to sleep until 7:00 am before feeding him, so I decided to try giving him a little nightsnack around 10:00 pm, hoping it would help him last until the morning.  This mostly worked, except for one thing…

The last week, he has been waking up between 4:00 and 5:30 am, not because of hunger, but because he has come out of his swaddle and has rolled over onto this stomach.  He then starts to cry and is incapable of falling back asleep unswaddled.  The first time this happened, I reswaddled him, which he was NOT happy about, he cried for 15-20 minutes and then fell back asleep until 7 am.  I could probably handle that, but last night, when the same thing happened, after I reswaddled him, he literally SCREAMED hysterically for almost 45 minutes before I finally gave in and nursed him back to sleep.  He was freaking out and was completely inconsolable.  It’s possible if I had just let him keep crying that he would have eventually fallen asleep again, but I didn’t have the patience or perseverance in the moment. 

So now what???  I don’t know how to wean him from his swaddle.  I have tried to just wrap him and leave one arm out, but then he takes his soother out and tries to roll over onto his stomach and everything just goes to heck.  Joe’s suggestion was to go check on him in the middle of the night and try to proactively tighten his swaddle before he gets out of it, but I don’t know if that’s the solution?  I also don’t know how to keep Justice from taking out his soother and rolling over – especially since he doesn’t really know how to put his soother back in by himself and he’s not that great at rolling over onto his back if he’s frustrated with being on his stomach.  Any words of wisdom??

At least he makes up for his screaming with these moments of irresistable cuteness! 

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