LANGUAGE OF HOPE!

Worries have you sleepless?

Fear have you tossing and turning?

What's does one do when she hopes for a good night's sleep, "safe and secure from all alarms"?

The LORD is my Shepherd.....He leads me beside still waters...He restores my soul....He is with me.......He comforts me.......I will dwell with Him forever. 

Sereni-TEA : one cuppa at a time

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24, NIV)

A recent email from DOC in LA, a self-proclaimed "king of naps" reminded me of the value of a good old fashion nap.  I even blogged 5 years ago about being the "queen" of said naps.
Plus, this time last year I had given myself a re-gift in the form of a nap.
Everyone has their own nap strategies. In college, LA Doc could put his head down on the desk for a 7 minute nap. Even as a working adult, he would prop his feet on his desk after lunch for a little snooze. Hubby stretches out in his big brown leather recliner and and lets the Jeopardy™ theme song lull him to sleep. I learned the value of a short nap from Millie D of Tennessee who crawled into bed for hers.

Research shows that a little nap will do you ---and is good for you. It seems good for me because I seem to sleep peacefully. When I awaken and it's still daylight, all those dragons of the dark have no power. With a nap there's no tension about trying to fall asleep. It's as easy as falling off a log. But....at night, I want to sleep like one, not fall off of it.

A quick sleep in the daytime never seems to come with the night-time baggage. Often in the dark of night, sweet sleep is interrupted with worries. Thoughts that race as I try desperately to return to sleep---so fearful of being tired the next day. Most concerns can not even be remedied in the night. Did I pay that Visa bill? Did I return DT's call? Why would Dr. Smith want me to schedule a visit? Wonder if grands will remember to.....?

I love what Hemingway said about sleep.
"I love sleep because life has a tendency to fall apart when I'm awake." For me that would read...when I'm "awake in the night."

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety, is how the psalmist states it in 4:8. Safe-TEA from those dreaded thoughts in the dark.
That's it in a nutshell---the pursuit of peace even as one sleeps. There's just something so peaceful and serene about a nap! As DOC says, "Long live the nap!"

I'll drink to that----with a cuppa warm herbal sereni-TEA to carry me peacefully into  sleep, regardless of the time of day.

Night Noises

3/9/11

Nighttime. Why is it so hard? “Things” seem to grow in the blackness of the night---at least at my house. I just want to close my mind to the thoughts---fly away from the problems, which believe it or not, is the way the psalmist, David, felt.

Psa. 55:4-8

My insides are turned inside out; specters of death have me down.

I shake with fear, I shudder from head to foot.

"Who will give me wings," I ask—"wings like a dove?"

Get me out of here on dove wings; I want some peace and quiet.

I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods.

I'm desperate for a change, from rage and stormy weather. (The Message)

Night Noises, a picture book, by Australian author, Mem Fox, tells of Lily Laceby, an old woman whose bones were as creaky as floorboards at midnight. Noises do tend to intensify in the night----just like my thoughts. Anxieties, insecurities, hurts. All those fears seem to gain strength in the night. They become a like a “roaring lion” waiting to devour---the teeth of the enemy waiting to “eat” me alive.

I know the scripture, “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:19) Yet, my roaring thoughts were drowning out meditation and robbing me of my rest---good news (exciting), bad news (heartbreaking), Michelè’s MRI, revolt in Libya, Afghan women. My night noises of anxiety/pain know no geographical limits.

Fox’s Night Noises heralded a surprising awakening. My awakening was fatigue----no surprise there. But God…….”the One who gives songs in the night” (Job 35:10) sent afternoon mail that brought a scripture reminder.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19)

I think I’ll take this verse to bed with me tonight to ward off my “scary” night noises.