Ready for Bed

By John Tissot

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not (D&C 6:36).

Betsy picked up her teddy bear and hugged him. “Yum, Yum,” she said, “time for bed.” She dressed Yum Yum in a polka-dot nightshirt and put him beside her pillow. “OK, Mommy,” Betsy called. “I’m ready.”

Mommy came in while Betsy said her prayers, then tucked her into bed. “Sweet dreams,” she said as she turned off the light.

“I want the light on, Mommy,” Betsy pleaded.

“But, darling, there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ll be right there in the living room. Daddy too.”

“But Yum Yum likes the light.”

“All right, honey.” Mom smiled at her and turned the light back on.

Two minutes later all the lights in the house went off. Betsy screamed and clutched Yum Yum. Then she heard Daddy’s voice.

“It’s all right, Betsy,” he said. “Mommy and I are right here.” He scooped her out of bed and carried her to a chair by the window. “Look,” he said, “the lights are out all over town.”

“I’m scared,” Betsy said.

“You weren’t frightened a minute ago when the lights were on, were you?” Daddy asked.

“No, Daddy.”

“Then don’t be frightened now, Betsy. Look out the window and tell me what you see.”

“All I see is the moon and the stars.”

“That’s right,” Daddy said. “And they’re always there. I think that they are God’s way of saying that He’s always there. That’s why we don’t have to be afraid of the dark. Do you understand?”

“I think so, Daddy, but I’m not sure that Yum Yum does,” Betsy said.

Mommy said, “Do you remember the song we sang at Christmas—‘Silent night! Holy night!’? Well, a special star shone that night because it was a special night. I think that all nights are silent and holy, so when we see the stars and the moon, we don’t have to be afraid, because we know that Heavenly Father is watching over us. Now, are you ready to go back to bed?”

“Yes, Mommy. And Yum Yum is too. We aren’t afraid of the dark anymore.”

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney