Sleep

It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 NKJV

I overheard a coworker tell this sweet story about his three year old daughter…

We had put her to bed when she knocked at our door. When we opened it she spoke through tears, “Daddy, my heart is empty. There is no love in my heart!” He soothingly answered her. “You do have love in your heart. You love mommy and me. ” “NO!” she yelled frantically, I don’t have any love there.” He said, “You love your babysitter, right?” “NO!” she sobbed.

“Well,” he answered, “you know it’s really late right now. What you need is some sleep. We can talk about this in the morning, okay? Don’t worry, just get some rest. Okay, go to bed honey.”

The next morning she enthusiastically crashed into the bedroom. “Daddy!” she yelled. “My heart is full of love! It was broken but while I was sleeping it got put together! I have love! I love mommy and you and the babysitter! My heart is full, it’s all better!”

I found this so profound. I often feel that way after an exhausting day of stress and challenging situations. I also have the depressing thought—My heart is empty. I often confess it to my loving Lord and fall asleep,

Remember His words, My mercies are new every morning! He is so faithful. When we drift off to sleep he does such a wonderful and restorative work. He can renew us. When you feel bereft of love, empty, troubled, we tend to turn to other solutions. Medicine, circular thoughts, even spiritual practices like prayer and reading the word, which sometimes help. But if you are his child and you really can’t turn things around, consider your sleep. Did you get enough sleep the last few days? Perhaps the simple solution is surrendering your heart and getting some good old-fashioned simple sleep.

Our loving father can provide you with rest, and restore your heart.

—Diane