Repeatedly our teenage sons said, “Caleb needs to quit the binky.” Perhaps they were right, but I wasn’t ready. Caleb, soon to be three, was our rough and tough, all boy, happy-go-lucky guy. He also held the record of being our first ever binky baby.  So much so, that my husband David and I talked about setting up a monthly subscription so we wouldn’t ever be caught dead without one of these peace-making lifesavers. He only used it to sleep and also on long car rides, but we were addicted–easy tuck-ins, moments to visit in an otherwise crowded and noisy car. Yup, it was us! We were as stuck as Caleb. Against all dental warnings and cautions for maturity—we wanted peace.

Pondering this dilemma one day, I felt the Lord nudge my heart, “If you ask Me, I’ll help you with that.”

“Oh, Lord, not you too!” I wielded my go-away tone, like I had with my sons. Two weeks later as I packed for our long drive to South Dakota, I searched for a binky, only to hear again, “If you ask Me, I’ll help you with that.”

“Umm, sure. If you think you can–go for it! I certainly don’t have any cure in mind for this entrenched habit.”   I didn’t want to tackle it while driving through the night. In less than 24 hours, my friend Lisa and I planned to take 7 teen boys and our 5 little ones on a trip to South Dakota. Due to a close friend getting married, we couldn’t leave town until evening. That’s why we two crazy mama’s would be taking shifts, driving all through the night—to get our teens to their Survival camp on time. I for one, did not want a screaming toddler in tow. We would need a fleet of binkies.

That night, our last chance to sleep, my husband and I could not find even one binky! In the past we had culled kids out of bed to help look for said binky. But this night, I simply whispered, “Sorry buddy, I can’t find one.” My courage to say that and Caleb’s bravery to accept it were nothing short of a miracle to me. We’d tried this before, only to result in panic and frenzy. But this night God’s grace certainly worked on our behalf. He evidently likes to be asked.

Ok, miracle night number one. “But while we traveled?” I questioned. Finding a binky the next morning, I promptly tucked it securely in my travel bag that would sit between the driver’s seats for emergency. Wedding completed, our friends cargo loaded, traveling commenced. I’d forgotten how easily young children fall asleep in moving vehicles. No binky! God, that was brilliant! I purposely avoided removing his binky for the sake of our company and my sanity. You, in Your wisdom, knew this would be great timing. Bravo!

Could Caleb make it through the night? How many potty stops lay ahead of us? Would he wake? I heaved it on God’s shoulders. This wasn’t my idea. “God, You will somehow need to supply the grace.”

Caleb slept most of the night, stirred at a couple stops, but quickly went back to sleep. Lisa and I traded seats at 5:30 am. This would be my chance to sleep.

I just started to nod off, when Caleb screamed, “I want a binky!!!” His eyes were still shut.

Oh, dear. I reached for the emergency binky and the car went quiet again. Ahhh!

That was the last time he needed a binky. I slept with him at nap time and bedtime in our little Custer State Park cabin. It couldn’t have been sweeter if I planned it. Thank You, Lord!

A few weeks later while pondering my own areas of “stuck-ness,” I felt the Lord whisper in my heart again, “If you ask Me, I can help you with that.”

“Oh, but You don’t know how trapped I am,” I moaned, obviously forgetting who I was talking to. That’s when I remembered Caleb and his binky. “Ok, God, do it again, please. Now I am convinced–Your ways are higher than mine.”

…the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11