The Back Page
By Sue Ferguson
Spring is in the air again it seems, until you blink, and it is winter again for a day or two. The weather at this particular time is unsettling. It almost mimics the state of our world these days. Tariffs, no tariffs, or looming threats of tariffs on the horizon. I really try not to watch the news too much, although I enjoy the local CHCH news channel, mostly to see the “Feel Good Time” clip every day. It usually involves an animal doing something funny. No politics in that.
Amidst the chaos of the events in our world, how are you sleeping at night? Does fear keep you up? A bed partner who snores? Perhaps where you once had a bed partner, you are now sleeping alone? Sihler and I moved into a house of our own about a year after his dad passed away. We had lived in my parent's basement that first year. I remember being excited, but a little bit nervous at the same time. I hadn't been alone in a house for a very long time if ever, after all. I didn't like the idea of a TV in the bedroom, but I put one in just so I could have some white noise to drown out the silence. Eventually the house was filled up with more people and a dog too, thanks be to Jesus. As funny as it seems, now I appreciate the quiet times once in awhile. It is in the quiet of the night that our minds can become the most active. Our bodies are in a state of rest, which almost gives our thoughts permission to venture out into all of the areas that we may have blocked out throughout our busy days. All of our worries and fears seem to come alive and be even more prevalent when we lay our heads on the pillow and close our eyes,
To this, my Gran would say in her sweet southern accent “That's the devil creepin' in.” My Gran always seemed to sleep so peacefully. I would sleep over a lot at her big old farmhouse, and end up in her bed because I was so scared of all of the noises and the dark. Sometimes I listened really closely because I thought she wasn't breathing! In hindsight, she must have been sleeping more contently, perhaps because I was there, and she was exhausted from all that she accomplished in a day. (I know now where I get my work ethic from.) In this day and age there are sleep apps and reminders that tell us when it is time to wind down. Mine usually goes off in the middle of a pickle ball game.
Your watch can even track the length of time you sleep and your sleep quality, but most of us don't need a watch to know that information.
If only we could revert to the “sleeping like a baby” phase. Peaceful slumber without worries or cares. So many people suffer from restless and sleepless nights. What is the answer? Lavender on the pillow? Sleepy time tea? A weighted blanket? All of these things may help, but also come at a cost.
I have tried the tea, and the lavender spray too. Shane and I have even asked “Alexa” to play the “sound of waves” on the speaker. The only thing that really works for me is to turn to God in prayer. The beautiful thing about our Lord and Saviour is that He is always there to listen every hour of every day. We can turn to Him anytime. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6.
We are living in a time of uncertainty, where many modes of media are instilling fear and angst within us, whether we realize it or not. Whatever situation you find yourself in, and whatever your level of anxiety and fear, you can always turn to God. He is there to ease your angst and calm your fears. Always listening and waiting with open ears and open arms. Trust in that, and sleep well.
