I love the sounds of the night. Every once in a while I can hear the owls calling in the night. The stars shining brightly just magnify God's beauty. I am one of those girls who enjoys staying up late reading and writing. It is in the quietness of the night that I seem to sit back and ponder over the day.
I too love watching television late at night. I enjoy old movies. Especially the old black and whites. Every once in a while you can find a great movie on that keeps you up just anticipating the ending. I noticed something happening in my daily life. The television began to take over at night. I would keep it on for hours and set the timer falling to sleep with the dim light and soft sounds as I turn it down low. It was funny really. I couldn't go to sleep at night without the television on. But I noticed what I was falling to sleep with wasn't what my mind needed for great sleep. Sound and peaceful sleep.
A few nights ago we removed the television out of our bedroom. Best way to begin the new year! I have decided to set a time for me to go to sleep and do you know what? I enjoyed the best sleep I have had in years. Really! I crawled into bed and instead of watching television and falling to sleep, I curled up and talked to my Savior. Once I did, I realized I hadn't been sharing time with Him like I use to. I was once again growing in a habit that was taking my time away from Him. Oh, for the last few nights I have enjoyed my time spent with Him. It is in Him that I have been falling asleep. I can be honest and tell you it has been a while since I have fallen asleep in prayer, but the last few nights that is exactly what I have done.
As I lay all curled up and cozy I can hear Him loud and clear. I talk for a while and I listen for His voice in my ear. Just sweet conversation about the day and life. I can give Him all my worries. Sharing those things I don't quite understand. I can spend time recalling my day and how I have spent my time. When I make time for Christ, He makes time for me. What better way to fall asleep? I can completely lay everything before my Savior and trust Him with all that burdens my heart. Until we are in total quietness and the stillness of night I don't think we realize just how much we are carrying in our heart. It feels so wonderful to close my eyes and just bask in His glory. To feel Him wash His forgiveness, grace and mercy over me. It is a time to be cherished and a time that I need to make sure I don't miss out on again.
This gives new meaning to peaceful sleeping. Just sharing time with Him in prayer quiets my heart. It fills me with a security of safety and love. I remember being at home and the last thing I would do before I closed my eyes was tell my mom and dad goodnight and say, "I love you". The same was true for us in our home. Before our kids took off to close their sleepy eyes there was always a hug and a kiss and a, "I love you", was said. Does our Savior not yearn to hear those very words from us, His children? At the end of the day, does He not want to hear about our day and all of our thoughts? He wants to spend time with us.
There have been so many nights I have tossed and turned in anticipation of the next day or the worries that have filled my day. Sleep then does not come easily to the girl who stays up worrying and wondering about what to do. Why not turn off that television that fills the silence? Put that book away early and turn off the light a little extra earlier than usual? For me, those few extra minutes or hours turned in to a sweet time spent with my Savior. It wasn't the television that quieted my heart, it was His presence. I didn't need to hear the conversations of others as I closed my eyes. All I need is to hear His sweet words that fill my heart and set peace before me.
"Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:5-7
