Her voice rang with simple joy as we talked, "Stephanie, I go to sleep each night so excited to sleep and so grateful for my warm, soft bed. I wake up each morning so excited to start the day---what will He have for me today, I wonder each morning with joy!"
Sharing her heart and sharing this victory of perspective, she spoke these words over the long distance phone line. Her words brought more than a smile to my mouth---they brought a smile to my soul. Can a soul smile? Mine did.
Happy to fall asleep. Happy to wake up. This! This is joy. This is contentment!
My friend---this mother, this wife, this daughter--- spoke words of deep contentment. It isn't a place she was, naturally is---or has always been---no, this is a place she has come to. Contentment is who she is becoming. My friend was once a woman who might fall asleep exhausted, worried, or disappointed with all that didn't get done that day. And, she was a child of God who woke tired, sometimes feeling unready for her day, overwhelmed by all that needed to get done.
Her Father in Heaven has brought her here. She arrived to this sweet rest and contentment walking on the road of Love--- journeying with and in God's love for her.
I had just been thinking about contentment earlier in the morning. Reading in Hebrews 13, I was struck with the command of God to "be content with what you have". But more than just a commandment, what struck me was the why and how answers that are found right along side the statement from our Father. "Be content with what you have... because God has said 'Never will I leave you and never will I forsake you!' Say to yourself, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid!" (Hebrews 13:5,6).
This contentment we are commanded is found in, and only in, a trusting of God's loving Presence and His help. It is a trust and resting in His love---a love that is forever and never leaves.
...His Presence that is always enough. His faithfulness and steadfastness is why we... it is why I... can be content.
I can trust God enough to rest well at night. Surrender and lay down the burdens. Lay down the work, done and undone. Release and let it all go. With a thankful heart I can rest and sleep in His Presence.
And, I can trust God enough to wake to the day ready for His loving Presence to guide, strengthen, surround and sustain. I can trust Him to give me just what I need and to never leave my side. I can say of Him, my God is my helper!
I, too, can fall asleep this way--- and so can you.
