I recall the days when I'd go to bed, mind still toiling and twisting over the events of the day, preparing for tomorrow, and reviewing the checklist of yesterday. During these years of my life, it seemed that I'd lie in the bed for hours wishing for sleep to come.
It never came easy. So I would just lay there until the wee hours of the morning, mind still going rapidly.
This is what I’d known for many years. In my younger days, I'd chew over a book I'd just finished reading. In high school, it was a piece of some application I was programming whose logic was trying to get the best of me.
Later in my career, the coding still kept me up but add to that the dealings of 'people' you had to work with. Hours were spent wondering how a person could behave and speak so unprofessional...thinking about crap I definitely had no authority to change. Time wasted!
After the birth of my first child, I found that I was always tired. I NEVER slept the same again. So not only was sleep elusive because my brain didn't shut down, but I was super tired. Tired but unable to sleep.
See the picture for this posting? That's life for over two years. SLEEPING IN PEACE.
I may have shared with you that I promised my husband that I will be 'nice' if we decided to have another child. I spent the entire nine months praying for joy and peace. I sought to let everything roll off my back. I commanded the the Holy Spirit to do His job and keep me in perfect peace.
Sure my days were more hectic than ever before, I just chose to refocus my mind on things that were important: carrying my wonderful addition to our family and keeping my end of my bargain with my hubby. Lol. (One thing you'll learn about me is I try my hardest to keep my word.)
But I continued to pray. Before my day started, before every meeting, before most conversations, before every bag packed for traveling (my clothes were getting tight on the belly but I wasn't going to let that stress me), and before falling to sleep about 9pm nightly. (9pm!!! Every night!!! New accomplishment. This pregnancy was treating me better than I imagined!)
After having our son, 'the prophet' (another, another MRG - MGR III), life was just peaceful. I completely enjoyed my maternity leave. This shocked me. With the others, I was completely bored (I had a hard time doing nothing...) and anxious to get back to work. This time, I cherished each day. Never rushing them. Knowing that before I knew it, he'd outgrow everything and be well on his way to adulthood. Rather than sleep, I basked in the few short moments he was awake. I laughed and played with him. He was always near. This new peace was something refreshing...moments spent living in it convicted me. Why didn't I do this with the other two? What have we missed out on? (Lesson learned and corrected!)
It's not to say that I didn't have peace before, but more so my mind was not at peace. Within the walls of my home, is love and peace. It is my sanctuary. I love being home, with a house full or alone. This is my spot. But at night, my mind just wouldn't shut up! I spent hours telling it to shut up and then kicking myself for thinking about how to shut it up!
But now, at the conclusion of this series on peace, I think you can see that I sleep in total peace.
Psalm 127 says:
Unless the LORD builds a house,the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. Pslam 127 (NLT)
My life is dedicated to Him. My house belongs to Him. These walls are painted with His name. I cover this territory in the blood. I mean if I'm going to live here, I might as well cover it,huh? I have no need to stay up day in and out working. There's always tomorrow. Plus, that time is better spent seeking God's face through prayer and worship anyway. If I don't have food to eat...well, he promised me my daily bread. It will be there tomorrow, won't it! Nightly before bed, I aim the arrows of our family (our children), giving them tidbits on life and having life more abundantly, teaching them about authority and who they really are. I decree and declare they will not put us to shame!
And if I give it all to Him, and Rest in Peace, I can sleep. He can stay up with it. No point in both of us dealing with it!
I no longer work in strife and every evil thing, rather I Work in Peace. I have absolute control of my day and staffing. No jealousy and greed welcomed here! So I sleep.
And Living in Peace is a daily task of mine. As His glory is revealed in me daily, my light continues to shine. I'm a favor magnet! You have no choice but to favor me! When I walk in, you will notice the light around me. You have no choice! Sleep comes easy!
I labor for peace. And when it's time to sleep, I Sleep in Peace. When sleep attempts to evade me, I quickly remind God of his promise:
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 (KJV)
Sweet sleep is mine!!!!
Let me let you in on the best kept secret: as you lay down, commence to pray. Before you know it, you will be sleeping in peace and when you wake, you will have only one thought: I'm not sure when I feel asleep, but that was some of the sweetest sleep ever!
Sleep peacefully!
With love,
Keiyia JOYet George
How has this series or this posting touched your life? Have you been able to apply anything? What other areas do you find peace is needed? Leave a comment below. Let us know.
If you haven't had a chance to read the other 'peaceful' articles in this #peace series, find the links to them here:
Resting in Peace
Working in Peace
Living in Peace