ahhh…sweet sleep
Sleep, riches, and health to be truly enjoyed must be interrupted. ~ Johann Paul Friedrich Richter
When I saw this quote come through my Facebook feed it was instant inspiration. We (read “I”, but I can’t bear to take think I’m the only one) are a complaining species. We certainly don’t deserve a life of ease, and yet we expect our existence to be anything other than a lesson in delayed gratification. I’m all for “sharing our struggles” but where do we go from there? Do we sit and wait? Do we wallow? My personal response is the classic “throw my hands up” “where are you God?” temper tantrum. I was ready for some perspective, which I now share with you.
If we (especially parents) got all the sleep we needed, had all the financial security we longed for, and never experienced sickness or health obstacles – would we appreciate them? Would we relish in a late morning snuggle? Would we recognize financial blessing and provision? Would we take our health for granted – or have compassion for those who were sick? My hunch is that we would feel a bit empty. Life would lack a bit of flavor.
the benefits of interrupted sleep
I often look at my role as “parent” and try to draw parallels between my actions as a child of God and His patience toward me as my Father. He doesn’t give me anything that is not His will for me to have – and it is perfect. Whatever He withholds is for my own benefit and growth. There is a lesson to be learned, and it is for His pleasure and delight.
To lean on Him. To Trust Him. To glorify Him.
Think about it. We love our kids. In our love for them, we meet their needs and occasionally seek to bless them. The obvious consequence of giving a child everything he “wants” is a corresponding decrease in appreciation with a relative increase in expectation. We are no better, and that’s reason #40909873409183247 why God is a much better Parent than I. His patience for us, His gentle leading, His grace – sigh…
My friends, life is hard. I personally know people in my life struggling with sleep, riches, and health – (Lord, make my heart soft!) We all have a tale to tell – but our stories are unfinished. It is a beautiful work that is being done in me, and in you. Refining and shaping us. Perfecting our faith. Allowing us to reap the blessing that comes from a loving, all knowing Father. Is our attitude one of joy? Thankfulness? Maybe, it’s somewhere between pity party and thanksgiving…. I think we all experience moments of victory – I’m going to aim for more of those moments. I encourage you to do the same. Hopefully, we can breathe life into each other in the midst of the trials, and celebrate together during the moments of breakthrough. That’s what I’m praying for anyway.
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