At my age, sleep is one of those things you look forward to at the end of the day. Yet, it is also one of those things that rarely happens for the entirety of the night. I am thankful when I get 5 or 6 good hours of sleep without being awakened by the heat of a blanket or by a nighttime noise, such as my dog snoring her head off. (Millie is part King Charles Cavalier and they are known to snore… loudly!)
If I do not have the blessing of going back to sleep, God and I have some good talks in the middle of the night. God probably chuckles at my late night ponderings!
God, why did you include a sinus cavity when you created humankind? After all, it just gets stopped up!
God, why do we like the things that are bad for us? Why can’t I crave broccoli instead of ice cream?
Obviously, these are important questions! However, God and I have some serious talks as well.
God, what do you have in mind for your church?
God, why is there so much pain in this world? Please help us.
God, why am I still praying the same prayer? It has been 10 years and still no answer. How much longer God?
God, give me strength in my weakness, and vision when I cannot see. Give me ears when I do not hear and a heart of care when I am indifferent. God bring me into your light when I am engulfed in my own selfish darkness.
Maybe God wakes me up just so I can spend some uninterrupted time with the One who calms all storms.
The quiet of the night allows God to be heard. The phone is not buzzing with the next text message. The TV is not blaring with news reports from across the world. All is quiet… (except for Millie’s snoring)
Late night ponderings are now something I experience as a blessing in my life, even if the circles under my eyes might be a little more noticeable.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 NRSV
This is my story, This is my song… praising my Savior all the night long!