How one night I couldn’t sleep

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There are so many things competing for our attention as mothers, as people. I’ve talked lately about surrendering things in our lives to give more time to God. That certainly doesn’t negate our responsibilities as mothers, wives, or what have you.

But it does leave a lasting question of priorities lingering in our minds. Did the Lord give me more than I could bear?

After a long day of doing what I do, I laid down relieved to be connected with my pillow again. I was so tired and prepared to fall asleep right away. But my mind kept racing with life still active in my head. The things that worried me, the things that excited me, prayers going out,recounting the day and the like. I tried to not think, I tried not to-do, tossing, turning, balloons, rainbows, anything? Nothing. My husband fast asleep beside me, I’m wondering how in the world does he do this? He mutters as if he read my mind, “just go to sleep, don’t think.”

I whispered to the Lord now looking at the clock donning 12:30 am. “Please help me sleep.”

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34

Rest your head, my sweet baby girl.

Here is the thing. There is a lot on my plate, some more than I can handle, some that I can easily hanker down. The Lord has given me (us) too much to show me that I am not enough and that he is quite enough.

Many of us mama’s get weary or tired or just straight exhausted but the key to redeeming those days is trusting and leaning on God’s unchanging unfailing word. When we find the days keeping us awake at night we can trust that once we surrender the uncontrollable to God, he will give us peace to rest in his name and carry on another day.

So what do we do when life keeps us up at night and our burdens are too much bear? We give them to God, we cast them on him because they ARE too much but by his strength we can bear them. Through his will we can do this and trust him.

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he knows how weak we are;
    he remembers we are only dust.

-Psalm 103 11-14

We are only dust. We are fragile but God’s love and care are eternal. My commentary read this:

” When God examines our lives he remembers our human condition. Our weakness should never be used as a justification for sin. His mercy takes everything into account. God will deal (and care) for you compassionately. Trust him”

That scripture at that moment came to my mind but there are so many others that we can carry with us and hold on to.

Here are some scriptures that I hope encourage your heart and give you the confidence to slow down and rest in him when the burdens of life feel like they are too much. Reminders really that God is mighty and ultimate when our lives are too messy and the things that fill them get heavy.

Casting our cares- Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28

Letting God be our safe haven– In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalms 4:8

Surrendering humbly- Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22

Waiting on the Lord- Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Trusting in the Lord- Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:5-8

Praying while we wait- Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Phillipians 4: 4-9

Be encouraged!