Lance's Scary Sleepover

Isaiah 66:13

As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.

It had been a rainy day and Lance really wanted to go out and play.

Wishing the rain would go away Lance knelt down and tried to pray.

"Please God take the rain away so I can go play with my friends today."

The rain didn't stop and the sun didn't come out, but the phone rang and on the other end he could hear his friend shout. " Could Lance come stay the night? Would that be alright?"

Lance had never spent the night anywhere but at that point he didn't care.

He just wanted something to do, somewhere to play for an hour or two.

His mom packed his pajamas, toothbrush, and pillow.

And as they pulled out the drive his little brother waved out the window.

Lance and Kyle were best buds and had tons of fun playing together.

Tonight would be no different. They would be best of friends forever.

The boys spent the afternoon building forts all around, there was no place left to sit, all the cushions were on the ground.

From building forts to painting and on to movie time,

it was getting dark and Lance realized he wasn't sure he was fine.

He'd never stayed the night alone, without his family, on his own.

This was becoming a scary sleepover and Lance wanted it to be over.

He wished he'd stayed home with his little brother and waited until he was older.

Who would sing him night time songs and kiss him on his head? Who would pray for his good night sleep and thank God for his bed?

Then again where would he sleep, he didn't have a bed there.

Would he have to sleep on the floor next to Larry the Labrador?

Would he have to sleep in a room all by himself? Watching scary shadows on the wall, hearing creepy noises down the hall?

To his surprise Kyle's dad pulled out sleeping bags. They were going to camp out on the floor. This was cool because he'd done that before.

Lance got to call his mom and dad and was able to say goodnight. They blew him kisses over the phone and said he'd be alright.

He got a sip of water and Kyle's mom said a prayer. She thanked God for friends and family and that Lance was able to stay there.

Lance shut his eyes and realized that staying the night wasn't so bad.

He thought about what he did that day and all the fun he had.

He learned that going away wasn't much different than staying home,

and that with good friends and family he would never be alone.