I have a colicky baby. Colicky babies cry a lot, for no apparent reason. And, interestingly, colicky babies have a heightened awareness of their environment. It’s like they are born experts at reading a room. 

Of course, this means that when I’m tense / frustrated / [insert negative emotion here], Elizabeth, my 10 week old, senses it and, in turn, grows more agitated. Which makes me more upset. You get the idea…it’s a vicious cycle.

In short, all parties will be much better off if I’m peaceful — not just outwardly, but inwardly. There is no fooling her.

So, how do I do find real peace when attempting to soothe a screaming baby? 

First, a couple thoughts:

Staying calm while dealing with a screaming baby seems a most appropriate prerequisite or training activity for anyone preparing to engage in military crises.  

Disclaimer: I do not always succeed at staying calm when Elizabeth is not. Sometimes I get very frustrated and have to set her down to collect myself, and then go back and resume soothing. I certainly am a work in progress 🙂 

Back to the question: what have I found helps me exude peace in the middle of what can seem like a crisis?  

Very practically:

I set an intention early in the day, each day: I focus on what a gift she is. And how each and every day (yes, even the especially hard one) with her is a gift. Life seems so fragile especially with little babes, that I deep down do genuinely feel this way now more than ever. 

I pray for her and for myself and for our family. I pray specifically for the Lord to give her rest when she’s lacking that, for the Lord to allow her to continue to eat (not a given at all since she has reflux — more on this in a future post) and grow. I give thanks for her and ask that the Lord call her to Himself. I pray that the Holy Spirit fill her. I pray Aaron’s blessing over her: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance to you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:22-26). For me, I pray for patience, gentleness, joy and wisdom. I pray that she and I form a strong relationship and that the Lord will continue to bless my marriage with Jake. And most of all, that He will, by His grace, continue to beckon us to Himself and invite us into more intimacy with Him. What an opportunity to learn to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). I’ve never been more constantly reminded of how much I need the Lord.

I sing (in my head) or hum (aloud). I sing worship songs that usher me into the throne room. It’s difficult to “raise a hallelujah” and continue to be frustrated for long. Reality SF’s rendition of Psalm 23 is one of my favorites. Yes, You lead me by still waters and take me to the pastures green... that’s a promise I need as I’m bouncing and shushing my baby (hopefully) to sleep for the tenth time that day. I’m reminded through songs like this that He cares for me too — not just her — and promises to meet my needs even as I extend and empty myself in ways I never have before. 

The Lord is not a genie in a bottle. Just because I pray for Elizabeth to sleep, doesn’t mean she magically calms down – even if I am in a peaceful state. The circumstances might not change, but I am changed as I seek Him and commune with Him and ask Him, the living water and breath of life, for help.