sweet sleep

I woke up this morning already in thought and already writing a message and as often happens, I completely lost the thought – though at the time it was complete and articulate (or so it seemed to me!).  Isn’t it interesting how that goes or how “life lessons” are?  We think, at the time of the event or thought, that it is something we shall never forget.  We hear a message and it resonates with us and we think it was the most marvelous message.  We might say that something we heard or something we read was of such significance that it was “life changing.” And then… as if to have never heard it or read it, it is completely gone – gone from our minds, gone from our consciousness into the sea of forgetfulness.

This has happened so many times and, sadly, happens increasingly as I get older… and I think to myself: why don’t I, or why didn’t I, write that down?  O, the books I write in my dreams… compelling and succinctly written – in my dreams I have skill.   And then I wake up… make the bed, prepare for the day and that once-wonderful work vanishes.

Sometimes I think it’s all for naught and then I stop to discover that even in sleep, the LORD is with me and blesses me.  Now, that might sound arrogant and maybe even a bit off, theologically, but I don’t mean it to be so.  What I mean to say is that as our hearts and minds are stayed on Him, even our sleep shall be sweet.  I was thinking on Proverbs 3.21-25

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.”

So if the thoughts of the night escape me in the day I will still rejoice at the sweet sleep the LORD gives and the protection and provision He seems to lavish on me.  I should hope to write down the blessings and thoughts He brings my way.  But even if I don’t and even if I should forget, I will still trust in Him and I will yet praise Him more and more.  He is my precious Risen LORD!