May 20, 2024
“I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.” ~Psalm 4:8 NRSV
Jackson on the job at my church office
Dear St. Paul’s Family,
Recently I’ve been paying more attention to simple things that bring me pleasure and comfort. One of them is that moment when I lie down in bed, pull the covers up, allow my back to settle into the mattress, my head rested on my favorite pillow, ready to fall asleep. I’m not yet asleep, but I relax into letting go. I breathe in God’s peace as I breathe out gratitude for the day, for the times in which I’ve experienced joy, a sense of God’s presence, something lovely I’ve noticed. I breathe out the things I’d like to let go, a word spoken in haste, a concern I carry for another. Without even being aware of it, I am blessed with dropping into sleep.
Kiko would literally plop down and be out for the count. Jackson and Izzy spend much of the day sleeping with one eye open so as to not miss any action (see Jackson above). Thanks to their former owners, they put themselves into their crates, often without any prompting from me.
Unlike my husband, who is asleep within seconds of hitting the pillow, sleep hasn’t always been easy for me. There have been periods of time when I didn’t sleep well, when I was caught up with anxiety, pain (emotional or physical), frustration, anger, fear, or guilt. That’s why settling down in peace, entrusting myself and the world into God’s very able hands, and letting go, is such a pleasure. The Message translation of Psalm 4:8 expressed it well, “At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, For you, God, have put my life back together.” ~ Psalm 4:8 The Message.
Praying that you both lie down and sleep in peace this evening. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 