A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…
I love to sleep. I love my cozy bed. I’m not a morning person so I love to sleep in. Some people can get by on six hours a night, but not me. The recommended amount of sleep to function at one’s best is between seven to nine hours. I’m definitely a nine-hour person. I don’t always get that much, but would love it if I could. I can get by on seven hours for a night or two, but nine keeps me at optimal productivity level. Did I mention that I love to sleep?
Our bodies need to rest. Sleep is therapeutic, healing, and replenishing. Old sayings like “The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep” and “a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book” seem to be rooted in truth.
Unfortunately, people find little time for sleep in this 24/7 world. The results are problems, frustrations, and anger. Poor sleep habits create mistakes and miscalculations. Lack of sleep affects concentration and coordination. Many driving accidents can be linked to driver fatigue. Not only does lack of sleep make people testy and accident-prone, it makes them vulnerable to disease and infection.
Years ago people went to sleep when it got dark. The invention of electricity and the light bulb changed all that. Today video games, television, and computers provide us with scads of late night options. Grocery stores are open all night long. Telephone service is available all night long. We can literally wake up in a city that never sleeps all over the world.
Although I love to sleep, it doesn’t always come easy. The pressure and stress of life can weigh heavily on my mind. Fortunately, God never slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Sometimes I forget He stays awake 24/7 to watch over me so I can sleep. God has everything under control.
If I have a hard night, I think of Psalm 30:4-5. “Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning!” There is much comfort and joy in sleep – and in resting in the Lord.
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Father, I know You created us to need sleep and rest. Not only do You provide physical rest from my daily labor, but ultimate rest from the burdens in life. When I am weary You tell me to come to You and You will give me rest. My soul can find rest in You!
