Do you remember being tucked into bed each night? Do you happen to recall the last words your parents said to you just before they turned out the lights and left the room?

Some parents vary their message night by night. It could be a word of encouragement or a word of comfort—it all depends on what has transpired in their child’s life. In effect, the evening benediction at the bedside becomes a way of tying up the loose ends of that particular day.

For other parents, the end-of-the-day ritual is just that—it’s a ritual. They say the same words, night after night. And it doesn’t matter if their child has already heard these words a thousand times before. In fact, that’s kind of the point. Regardless of what the day has brought, the child can rest assured that it will come to a close in the old, familiar fashion.

The reason I mention this is because I heard recently of a mother who tucks her two children into bed each night with these words—“Never forget that you are loved. You are a special gift from God. Good night and sleep loose.”

Hello! Sleep loose? Isn’t the expression supposed to be “sleep tight”?

But this mother has intentionally altered that phrase, because she wants her children to relax, to let go of their worries, and to trust that God’s love is surrounding them. “Sleeping tight” would seem to imply just the opposite—that we are on edge, tensed up, and ready to bolt at the slightest hint of danger. That’s not usually conducive to a good night’s rest.

With all the turmoil in the economy these days, I’m guessing that a lot of us are “sleeping tight”—that is, if we able to get to sleep at all. But Jesus specifically tells us not to worry about the troubles of tomorrow. Just take each day as it comes, and know that God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, is in control and has promised to provide for us.

So tonight, as you are preparing to go to bed, turn all of your troubles over to God. Place them in God’s hands, and rest assured that, because God is holding you tight, you can “sleep loose.”