The Secret of a Good Night's Sleep

'She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order.'Toni Morrison, Beloved

How do you sleep? Sleep, the beloved time when care is put to rest and angels guard us. Or it would be if I was mistress of a large house in Victorian England and I had people tending to my every need.

As it is, sleep is something that has eluded me through the years. When I was a kid I would keep a radio under my pillow ( before you write and tell me that a large, uncomfortable radio under your pillow will prevent sleep, it was a little radio!). So I grew up listening to late night plays, book adaptations and boxing matches on BBC Radio 2.

I slept better in South Africa, mainly because the days were long and languid and my life consisted of feeding penguins (don't ask) and laughing more.

My trouble with sleep started in earnest when my life got crowded with so many voices and hard places that I found it almost impossible to wind down. I was so wound up in survival mode and with keeping everyone's act together that I lay down like a soldier who knows that he is not safely gathered in. Half awake. One eye on the door.

I am now reading a book called 'Say Goodbye to Insomnia', it's a pretty good book written by Dr Gregg Jacobs, a man who knows what he is talking about. Amongst other things Dr Jacobs advises regular exercise, positive thinking and not using your bedroom as an office. Page 106 made me laugh. The page is titled 'How to succeed at Exercise', point number 5 on the list is:

'Avoid labour saving devices such as leaf blowers, remote controls and chainsaws.'

So I am going to get rid of all of mine today. I am sure that these labour saving devices are keeping me awake at night. Actually, having kept a sleep journal for 2 weeks now, I can categorically state that the thing that keeps me awake is stress. A feeling of being beleaguered, blockaded, encircled, alone or defeated. Sometimes I think I understand how Jesus must have felt on that cross, although I know it does not come close.

So what do we need when we feel the nails or the rough wood of life? I have a couple of thoughts. Even Jesus felt completely alone at times, even cut off from His beloved Father. Remember His anguished cry 'Father, Father, why have you forsaken me?'. Jesus knows what it's like. And He never leaves you or I to darkness. He will watch with us through the night hours.

Before Jesus was taken, and knowing what was to come, He could be found on His knees amongst the dark shadows of the ancient olive trees surrounded by His closest friends. He asked them to watch with Him. In the end it was too much for them and they fell into an exhausted sleep.

A friend to watch with you. A friend who helps you gather the pieces of your life and put them in the right order. If you are that friend to someone - I salute you. If you need a friend like that - I pray that you will be given one. If you cannot and have not - I commend you to Jesus. He will watch with you through the night hours. He, more than anyone, knows what it is like.

'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.' Matthew 11 v28-29, NIV

He believes in you:)