Monsters in the Bed
A Mom's Meditation on Psalm 4:8
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
Mom got down on her knees
and she started to talk.
She prayed and confessed
that she might need a lock.
From what? We three wondered.
It must have been bad
because mom looked stressed out;
she was exhausted and mad.
We boys kept her company
while dad was away;
We snuggled her all night
and we helped her all day.
What could be wrong?
We were stuck to her like glue.
We hadn’t noticed any trouble.
Not even a clue.
We eavesdropped with skill
And we heard her pray,
“There are monsters in the bed
and they won’t go away.”
This was just like our mom
to keep this from us.
She wanted to protect us
and not make a fuss.
“There are monsters in the bed.
One tore off my sock.
There are monsters in the bed.
One kicked over the clock.”
We thought up a plan
to stay up all night.
We’d protect our mom
from the fierce monster fright.
When eight o’clock struck
we all jumped in her bed.
We yanked up her covers
and pulled them over our heads.
We dragged in our stuffies;
our army guys too.
We built up her pillows
and tied them with a lace from her shoe.
Mom read us a story,
buried beneath a stuffed bear;
and a verse from the bible
That said, ‘do not swear.’
We’d stake out her room
And guard it with might.
We’d protect our dear mom
and stay up all night.
The little one’s eyes
darted around the bedroom.
He asked mom a question
about the monsters that loom.
“These monsters in the bed,
just what do they do?
These monsters in the bed,
do they really scare you?”
Her face turned all white.
It was white as a sheet.
“These monsters will kick you
with freezing cold feet!”
“They’ll tear off your covers
as you’re trying to sleep;
they’ll give you a shove
and they won’t make a peep.”
“They’ll force you to rise
when you’re in a deep slumber.
They’ll demand to be watered.
To the kitchen you’ll lumber.”
“But the most frightening part
is the way that they glare.
While you’re asleep
they’ll watch you and stare.”
“They’ll smack you with pillows
and elbow your back.
They’ll mess up your sheets.
It’s an all-out attack.”
“They’ll get close to your face
and seeping into your pores,
you’ll feel their hot breath.
You’ll want to run out the door.”
“There are monsters in the bed
You’d better get out!
These monsters are real
Up to no good, no doubt.”
We three couldn’t take it.
We burst out of the room.
We darted downstairs,
away from sure doom!
Then we heard the door rattle.
The knob jiggled and turned.
Daddy was home.
We told him all that we learned…
about monsters in the bed
and how brave our mom was
to sleep there without us--
it’s what a good mom does.
“But it’s not safe for you, dad.
Those monsters are real.
You’ll sleep with us tonight!”
Who could pass up that deal?