Last night my family and I enjoyed a night at the ballpark, watching our new favorite team, the State College Spikes. It was a 6 o’clock game, but with the fireworks and running the bases afterwards, it turned into a late night. I think we finally got the kids in bed around 10 pm, but I am certain they didn’t fall asleep right away. Then they were up a bit before 8 o’clock this morning in order to get to their gymnastics camp.

All in all, they probably got around an hour or two less sleep last night. And though you couldn’t tell earlier in the day, the lack of rest became evident as the day wore on. The kids were slower in their obedience, little Naomi had a bit more ‘tude’ and each of them was much more apt to cry. And this is not even to mention little Isaiah.

Anyhow, it got me to wondering how many kids out there might be struggling with various issues of disobedience and whining or whatever in large part because they aren’t getting enough rest. I praise God that my wife Erin does a great job getting the kids to bed and making sure they get the rest they need. It’s a huge blessing to them and, in the end, everyone else they come in contact with. For when they get their rest, they are much more apt to be a blessing to each other and others.

The same holds true with us right? There is a clear connection between how well we rest and how well we live. So how are you doing with your sleep? And if you are a parent, are you serving your kids well by making sure they get in bed and stay there? Sure, a night out now and again is a good thing, but if you are making a habit of it (for yourself and/or your kids), I am thinking you are seeing some unnecessary negative effects. Might be worth checking into the link between the two. Take some notes over the next few weeks and note how well your kids rest and in turn, how things go the next day. Same for yourself.