Friday, January 26, 2007

i am jealous of my cat

At any given point during the day if we decide to search for our 2 year old cat KC, we find her sleeping. She is usually rolled up in a very tight ball with her top little white paw covering her face. She is absolutely adorable and it is next to impossible to refrain from reaching out and stroking her head. Sometimes when I do this she'll uncover her face and give me a look of agitation, but most often she remains sleeping and appears very content. I've decided that KC is a great sleeper. I really am jealous of my cat. Sure, she has to use a litter box and her food is dry and crunchy and the same every day, but really...to be able to sleep like that!

Seeing KC rolled in her tight little ball reminds me that sleep is a gift from God. Listen to these wise and practical words from C.J. Mahaney in his book "Humility - True Greatness"

The fact is, God could have created us without a need for sleep. But He chose to build this need within us, and there's a spiritual purpose for it. Each night, as I confront my need again for sleep, I am reminded that I'm a dependent creature. I am not self-sufficient. I am not the Creator. There is only One who "will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4), and I am not that One.

When I first read that I was struck with how often, when it comes to sleep, I operate with a very self-sufficient attitude. I used to pride myself on how little sleep I could get and still function the next day. I never recognized my need for sleep as proof of my need to depend on God. Sleep was something I just assumed happened at the end of each day and I never made the connection between sleep and God. Once I made the connection, I have sought to apply the truth with the wise counsel suggested:

So don't just fall asleep tonight or any night. Seize this opportunity to mortify pride and cultivate humility by setting apart sleep as a holy gift from God, as a reminder of your full dependence on Him and as an occasion to examine your heart before Him. Let the Spirit give you a new perception and appreciation of sleep, so that this seemingly ordinary act might be transformed into an opportunity to cultivate humility and weaken pride.

Today has been an interesting day. My kids and I met with a friend for several hours and my son ended up feeling sick. Homeschool was dropped for the day and the sofa was transformed into a sick bed. As my friend and I wrapped up our time of fellowship together, I realized that I had several things to do before I'd have to leave for my evening plans. It's going to be a late night for sure. When I get home and climb into my bed, before I fall asleep, I will take a few minutes to express my thankfulness to God and I will express my complete dependence on Him. Just as I drift off, I will feel the weight of KC resting on my legs, rolled up in a tight little ball.

1 comment:

  1. I agree with you both!! I have been learning over the past month about how sleep is a gift from God. Unfotunately, I seem to fall on to extremes...either not get enough, or get too much...actually, i don't think its too much, but rather a laziness in not getting up when the alarm goes off (like even if it is only 6 hours, I will push snooze and lounge until the last possible minute to push it to 6:15).
    I cant wait until I stay awake all night long for the sole purpose of worshiping our Saviour!! I read that John Owen's only allowed himself to get 4 hours of sleep to spend time in the Word and with his Lord....unfortunately my lack of sleep can not be counted for such a righteous cause :-(

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