He Gives His Beloved Sweet Sleep

Day 289 of Photo Inspirations -- He Gives His Beloved Sweet Sleep
#TBT -- This first photo inspiration is one that is so dear to my heart.  Our little Payton was beyond tired -- he just couldn't make it through his meal.  It was our weekend with Payton and Alexia and that meant action-packed, non-stop fun from morning until night.  We made the most of our time with our grandchildren, making lots of memories, and now that my Sweetheart is in heaven, I'm so glad we did.  But most of all, they got to know how special and loving their Papa was.  He definitely made an impression on their lives -- so much so -- that they still talk about him a lot and recall so many fun times with him.

This had been a weekend of fishing, checking out the nearby horses, going to the zoo and playing outside a lot.  Such treasured memories.  Now, during this season, I get to relive those moments in my photos.  Now, the kids and grandkids understand why Nana always has her camera with her -- always asking for yet another photo.

And, like that precious boy falling asleep after a busy day of fun, at the close of those weekends, when the kids' Mom and Dad came to pick them up, Papa and I would drop into our recliners, and, yes, we would fall asleep too.  Yes, God gives His beloved sweet sleep....right when we need it most.
Precious Payton didn't have a care in the world so he could just rest in happy freedom.  And, through faith and complete trust in our Lord,  we, too, can  rest in Him in happy freedom from care.

Those whom the Lord loves are delivered from the fret of life.  Just like my husband and I wanting to give the best things to our grandchildren, God is sure to give the best things to His beloved, and like this photo, we know He gives them sweet sleep -- that is a laying aside of care, a forgetfulness of need, a quiet leaving of matters with God.  This kind of sleep is better than riches and honor. Remember how Jesus slept amid the ups and downs of a storm at sea? He knew that He was in his Father's hands, so he could be so quiet in spirit that the billows rocked Him to sleep.  It would be like that for us if we were more like HIM.

Take it from me.  There are often times when I wake in the night and sleep is far from me, but I visualize being in the bow of the ship and think about the sweetness of God's love and I remind myself of His words.  "I give my beloved sweet sleep."  Yes, I'm His beloved and I also remind myself of Isaiah 26:3 "Him I will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me."  Between that rocking boat, and thinking about my Father, before long I'm back to sound sleep......just like my little grandson......with not a care in the world.

Sweet Sleep

Day 128 of Photo Inspirations -- Sweet Sleep
God blessed me with a built-in internal alarm clock.  No matter what time I go to bed, I typically wake up between 6 am and 6:30 am.  I'm sincerely appreciative for that oddity most of the year. Rarely do I oversleep.  I'll admit that during the colder winter months, I still wake up at my usual time, but wish to stay all cozy and comfortable longer.

My roommate, while on the cruise a few weeks ago, was amazed that I woke up each day at the same time -- regardless whether we were having a time zone change or not (there were 7).  It worked out perfectly for us.  I'd quietly get up at my 6 am wake-up time, go to the gym and run my 3 miles on the treadmill, then go to the dining room and have my breakfast and devotion time, and do my daily FB post/blog.....and by then she'd be just waking up.

I'm a phenomenon!  LOL!  Actually, I'm not.  I understand there is an explanation for my waking-up quirkiness.  It has to do with melatonin and neurotransmitters and highly anatomical stuff like that. That's WAY over my comprehension level.   The best way I can explain it is that I apply God's Word to everything.  And for my sleeping, this scripture, "When I lie down, I am not afraid; yes, I lie down and my sleep is sweet!"   The 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 hours of sleep I get (sometimes more; sometimes less) are sweet.

Sleeping became an art for me over the years.  Once upon a time, I allowed worry and concern to be my bedtime companions -- thereby causing me extremely disturbed sleep.  I had to nip that in the bud.  I needed my sleep.  This scripture is one that I came to depend on.  If I awoke in the night, I would pray it as a prayer. And I had other going-back-to-sleep methods, also.  I'd say the alphabet with adjectives for God, like He's A-amazing; awesome; alpha; almighty; B-beautiful; bountiful; beginning; baptizer;  C-creator; Christ; comforter, etc.  Typically, I'd be asleep before I would get to G or H.

There really is an answer to EVERYTHING in God's Word -- even for getting a good night's sleep.  If it's sweet sleep you need, perhaps it's time to go to the Book of Answers.....the Bible -- let Him talk to you through His Word, and you talk to Him by exalting Him and His character -- after all, He IS amazing, awesome, almighty, beautiful, bountiful......are you getting sleepy yet?