Always Awake

I have always been prone to fearfulness, even as a child. Many times over the years I would wake from a bad dream and lie there, too terrified to go find my parents. I couldn’t trust myself to go back to sleep, for fear of going back into the bad dream again, and so I lay there for what seemed like an eternity.

But then, as I lay there, heart pounding, emotions surging, I would eventually hear the most comforting noise. It was a cluster of noises, actually: water running, dishes clinking, a familiar voice humming.

For all the years I can remember, up until my dad retired, my mom would get up at whatever time he did, and wash the dishes while he got ready for the day. No matter how terrified I was, no matter how hard my heart had been pounding, I knew as soon as I heard the first dish clink that I would be okay.

Sometimes I ran downstairs to get a hug and be tucked back in, once in a while I watched cartoons with my dad while he ate breakfast, then fell asleep on the couch. But often, I would hear the sounds of dishwashing coming from the kitchen and be able to fall asleep again, knowing that someone was awake in the house

But do you know what’s even better than a mom awake with you? Psalm 121:2-4 says,

“My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

Dear reader, do you struggle to sleep? Do you wake up, mind whirling, heart pounding, about some situation that is weighing you down? Do you find it hard to slow your mind down long enough to get to sleep in the first place? I have had my own seasons of sleeplessness, and what a comfort it is to remember that I’m not alone. My Heavenly Father is always awake, always there with me.

If you have accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit lives permanently inside you. There will never be a moment where He is far away, though you might not always feel like He is there. His presence is a promise He will never break.

So, next time you are awake in the night, remember that your Keeper, the Heavenly Father who watches over you, never sleeps. He is there with you. You can take your burdens, cares, fears, and sorrows to Him. He alone can give peace and comfort.

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8