Sleep. What is That?

Mother’s Day was so special to me this year.  All of my children pampered me in unique ways which made me rejoice in their individuality.  God made them each so differently and I love, love, love seeing that lived out in real life!  I felt truly loved and although I have failed in many ways, God has healed in many ways.  I wanted to share a beautiful wooden sign with you, EDS Mama, which my youngest son made from simple boards he assembled and painted himself.  His sister will vouch that he worked all day on it.  When she investigated to see where he was that day, he peaked around a corner in the garage to answer her calls, drill in hand.  I was not expecting such a large, creative gift from him nor the verse which he incorporated.  I have pondered that verse since he gave it to me.  As an EDS Mama, it has great meaning and I had to share it with you.

“I will lie down and sleep in peace.  For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Psalm 4:8 Let me repeat that first part.  “I will lie down and sleep in peace.”  Wow.  I did not rest peacefully for years.  I had to keep a listening ear for my daughter practically every night.  I had trouble shutting off the miserable pictures of each day’s events.  To watch one of your children living in chronic pain leaves vivid memories you wish you could forget.  When I awoke each morning my first awareness was this heavy burden of living with EDS.  Sleep was not peaceful, but the first part of this verse tells me that at some point, I WILL lie down and I WILL sleep in peace.

“For you alone, Lord.”  This whole journey points to Him alone.  He gets all the credit and all the glory.  It would be easier to go on with my life and focus on me, making up for all the years I lost myself because I was busy being a caregiver.  But He changed me.  The rest of my days will be spent telling of His goodness and faithfulness.  He uses dire circumstances to point the eyes of the world to Himself.  As EDS Mamas we get to meet with God alone and witness His works.

“Make me dwell in safety.”  No matter what life brings, I am safe.  Nothing can happen to me or my loved ones that can truly bring harm.  Even in death we can be safe through Jesus Christ. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21.  Once I would place my feet on the ground in the morning, it was my routine to make my way to where my daughter was sleeping.  I would wait there and watch for the up and down movement of her chest, my assurance that the breath of life was still present.  God alone made her dwell in safety.  He watched over all my children when I was unable to attend to them all.  His goodness never fails.

I sleep much more soundly these days.  He has built my faith.  God alone.  Do you sleep in peace, dear one?  You can dwell in safety.  I love that word, dwell.  It’s where we live each day. Through God Alone.

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