November 12 – Time for Night Night
316 – Time for Night Night
#faithbites #faithjourney night

Waking up in the dark and going home in the dark is par for the course in the northern part of the country during daylight savings time. I am tired. Between work, school, family, church, home, and everything, I’m just tired. While there is the emotional tired we have talked about before, sometimes you just need a nice sleep.

Our bodies crave good sleep. We want to have time to rest, recuperate, and get ready for the next day. Too often we are concerned with doing the next thing that we don’t give our bodies rest.

Having two children, bedtime can be a struggle. When I tell them it’s time for night night, I often get “Why do parents get to stay up late” or “I’m not tired”. When I try to tell them they will really love sleep when they get older, they fight me on it.

But what does scripture tell us about getting a good night sleep?

Scripture
  • If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. – Proverbs 3:24
  • It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. – Psalm 127:2
  • Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28
Reflection

I have nights when I sleep but it is not restful. Times when all I want is sweet sleep. We talked about praying for comfort, and I pray for calming of my heart and mind so I can sleep. At work sometimes we talk about who got to work first and who stayed the latest or who worked the hardest. Sometimes it seems to be a badge of honor to work and work and only get a couple of hours of sleep. We can see in the Psalm that that is folly. Not having sleep is eating the bread of the anxious. We even see that the Lord has given us sleep. A chance to rest, a chance to give our burdens to Christ for sweet sleep.

Sleep is a luxury for many that we take for granted. I need to look at sleep as a gift from the Lord rather than something that takes my time from doing other things.

Charge

How much sleep do you get a night? 5 hours? 6 or 7? Maybe you get 8 or more? Is your sleep restful and sweet? Before you get ready for bed, try to give your burdens to Christ. Pray about your day and ask for restful sleep. Then take the time you need for that sweet sleep.

Lord, let me enjoy the sweet sleep that you give us. Allow me to not think of everything I need to do and instead enjoy what you have given us.

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