“It’s time for bed!” I spoke the dreaded words once again as I got up from my chair and headed down the hallway. I was taking care of my grandchildren and it took a bit of effort to get them to bed on time.

I have found that it is a good idea to make this announcement a good 30 minutes before the children actually need to be in their beds. This leaves time for changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, getting a drink, and all those last minute pleas for just a few more minutes to do this or that. I gave them a few minutes to get ready for bed and then I walked into Ben’s bedroom. I happened to be in my sock feet and I suddenly noticed that my feet were wet. I looked around and there were places on the carpet that seemed to be wet.

“Ben, did you spill something in here on the carpet?” I asked.

“No, I didn’t spill anything.” Ben replied.

“Then why does your carpet feel wet on my feet?” I questioned him.

“That’s where I sprayed the scary monsters.” Ben stated, as he pointed to a spray bottle on the shelf in his room. Sure enough, there was a bottle half full of blue liquid labeled, “Monster Spray” sitting beside the bed. “Sissy gave it to me for my birthday to get rid of scary monsters,” Ben informed me.

“Are the scary monsters all gone?” I asked hopefully as I sat down to take off my wet socks. Judging from the wetness of the floor and the wet spot on the seat of my pants where I had evidently sat on a dead monster there must have been a horde of monsters in his room. “I guess I won’t have to worry about any scary monsters tonight since I’m the one sleeping in your room while I’m staying at your house,” I said decidedly.

Ben seemed to have forgotten about that as I led him into the other bedroom that he would share with his sister. I was hoping it was monster free since I was running out of dry socks.

We sat on the bottom bunk and after reading a book “just one more time” for the fourth time, I announced that it was time to go to sleep. We said prayers together and I tucked Ben in and started to leave the room when he whimpered, “Grammy I’m scared.”

“What’s the matter, Ben?” I asked.

“Tegan’s dolls are staring at me,” he replied.

Sure enough, right there on his sister’s dresser were three dolls all rudely staring right at Ben. I immediately turned the ill-mannered doll’s faces to the wall so they wouldn’t be staring at him all night. I thought that would be the end of it but then Ben said, “I’m still scared.”

“I left the hall light on, Tegan is right there in the top bunk, and I will just be in the next room.” I explained. My words didn’t seem to bring much comfort as I heard him whimpering louder beneath the covers. “You want me to lie down with your for awhile?” I asked.

“Yes, you sleep with me all night,” Ben replied as a statement rather than a question. I purposely didn’t answer but I got in bed next to him as he scooted over near the wall to make room. It got very quiet and I thought perhaps Ben was finally asleep when suddenly he said to his sister who was in the top bunk, “Tegan, will you hold my shirt?”

“Yes,” Tegan replied sleepily.

I wondered what on earth he was talking about when I turned over and saw that there was a large sweatshirt stretched against the wall and Ben was clutching one sleeve and the other extended to the bunk above where Tegan evidently held the other sleeve. Ben was tugging on it to be sure he could feel Tegan holding the other end of the shirt. I presumed this was another safeguard against scary monsters.

“What are you afraid of, Ben?” I asked.

“Monsters and skeletons”, Ben answered woefully.

“What do you think we should do about that,” I asked.

“We could spray them with monster spray but they keep coming,” Ben answered.

“Hmmmm, yes, I can see that is a problem,” I replied as I wondered how much a wet suit might cost me if all this spraying of monsters continued.

“Ben, I know how to get rid of them for good,” I said.

“How?” he asked expectantly.

“Ask Jesus to make them go away because he is greater than all the monsters and skeletons in the whole world,” I said.

“Even the big ones, Grammy?”

“Yes, even the big ones, Ben. Nothing is too big for Jesus and He will always hold the other end of your shirt even when there is nobody else around to hold it for you. He will hold on to you even if you don’t have a shirt.”

Ben was suddenly very quiet and I thought he was asleep but then he said, “I did it. I asked Jesus to make the monsters go away.”

“I’m glad,” I said.

As Ben drifted peacefully off to sleep I thought about the many monsters we have in life even as adults. Some monsters we invite right into our homes and lives while others break in without us ever knowing when they arrived. Even if they seem small and harmless, if we allow them to stay they will feed themselves and become larger monsters. These monsters have names like Worry, Depression, Anger, Bitterness, Greed, Jealousy, and Unforgiveness; just to mention a few. I have tried many different kinds of monster sprays but all my best attempts fall short of making them go away completely.

Yes, I guess I’ve used up a whole lot of monster spray in my lifetime. Like my grandson, I need to remember to trust the only One who can defeat every kind of monster. “Yes, Ben, even the big ones”, I whispered softly as I simply asked, “Jesus, will you hold my shirt?”

© March 2006 Pamela Perry Blaine pamyblaine@blaines.us http://www.blaines.us/PamyPlace.htm

I live near Baring, Missouri and I enjoy writing, music, and country living. I write “Pam’s Corner” for the local newspaper and have loved music and writing ever since I can remember.