Submission #14: Nighttime Prayers

In earlier years, sleep rated pretty high on my list of things I valued. Either hormones or a houseful of children trained me to be a light sleeper. That waking up at 3 a.m. and not returning to sleep until about 35 minutes before the alarm goes off was one of life’s tragedies for me.

It wasn’t until in my early 40’s that I understood the gift of time that was given to me. These quiet hours of stillness gave me the opportunity to pray for so many of my burdens, my loved ones, and friends. Eventually, I learned to appreciate this time. Then I spent a few years sleeping soundly and deeply. Not waking up at all. I actually had to make time out in my day for prayer. I think that may have been harder. I missed that quiet, uninterrupted time with the Lord, but I wasn’t about to set my alarm to change my restful nights.

Lately, I have been waking up again. Early hours. Long, quiet hours. I don’t get out of bed. I don’t grab my iPhone. No night lights and books. I just lay there and tell God all about what is going on with me. I am no longer resistant to this time and I must admit I wonder when I lay down at night if I am going to be awakened. And I don’t dread it.

Lack of sleep doesn’t affect my day nearly as much as lack of prayer.

Do you wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself unable to go back to sleep? Next time you find yourself awakened, pray. See if pouring your heart out to God isn’t the best use of this extra time God so graciously blesses us with.

Submitted by Shannon Coe from Arranged By God

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All You Need Is One

Years ago my grandmother gave me a worry box. I was going through something fairly difficult and this gift was more than a blessing to me. She couldn’t realize just how much it meant to me. At the time my grandmother was more interested in talking about what was happening at the neighbor’s house than anything sentimental.

Inside the box were three angels with a passage written that read: This box is for your worries, the aches within your heart. A place to tuck away your fears, where love and hope can start. So keep this box beside you, and know how much they care, for when you need peace and joy the angels will be there.

Throughout the years there have been times when this box was tucked away in a safe place. At other times it has even been forgotten but earlier this year I came across it on a day that I really needed to. Then the next day someone else came across it. My toddler.

As quick as he could he started shaking the box. By the time I got to him the angels were in pieces. Between lack of sleep and feeling sad I really didn’t study what was left of them because it seemed that they were all broken. I quickly skimmed for the sharp pieces of glass, got rid of them and then I closed the box and placed it on my dresser.

The other day my son grabbed the box again and walked towards me with it saying, “Angols, Angols!” With a smile at the way he says angel, I opened up the box to look at what remained. I gently pushed through the pieces and there it was.  One angel. Unharmed. Beautiful. Strong.

And I was reminded that all you need is one.

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Honoring Andrew

April is almost over. It is also National Autism Awareness Month and today I wanted to write about someone dear to my heart. My cousin Andrew is autistic. And I adore him. He is brilliant, caring, appreciative, loyal and so very thoughtful. I can remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. I can also remember when he was diagnosed. He was 3 years old and I really didn’t know much about autism then. I still don’t know enough.

I remember how amazed I was at the things Andrew knew as a toddler. His memory was and still is incredible. Today Andrew is great with #’s (must run in the family). He is an artist. He is a son, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, a friend, a blessing.

Why am I reminiscing about him? Because this June Andrew will be graduating from high school and I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. He is all set to attend college this fall and I can’t wait to follow his journey on this new chapter in his life.

Andrew has taught me so much just by being who he is. I’m so excited for him to see just how many people will be there to honor him in June. I’m not sure that he realizes what a difference he has made. I hope that during his graduation weekend he is reminded of that many times.

(If you’d like to learn more about Autism this link provides you with some great information.)

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