another long night

an old conversation

me—Another long night. Went to bed a little before 1 o’clock. Flopped, and flopped, and flopped. No sleep. Not even drowsy. Up about 2 am. Drank a cup of “Nighty-Nite Tea.” Traveled from chair, to chair, to sofa and back. Uncomfortable every place.
D—This is becoming a pattern. Night after night. And, it’s becoming a problem.
me—After several nights in a row the sleep deprivation kicks in and the mood swings start. It’s having an effect on everything. Our days, our nights, our relationship. Everything!
D—It needs to STOP!

This conversation has gone on at least once every few months for several years.

The older I get, the more often it seems to occur. After a hysterectomy and several years of night-sweats, hot-flashes and other miserable menopausal symptoms we thought we would have a period of relief. Wrong!

Sleepless nights brought a whole new set of woes. And, there doesn’t seem to be an answer to the problem.

When you’re awake…you’re AWAKE!

a new conversation

D—so you were up again last night?
me—yup. not a surprise. It’s happening more and more lately. I guess insomnia comes with old age.
D—So…if you want it to stop, just get into the Word while you’re up. Or, start writing down some of the things God tells you in the night. Start a blog and share them. I guarantee you’ll sleep like a baby from now on, because the enemy does not want you to be in the Word or talking to God. And, the name of Jesus is above the name of insomnia. Maybe you just need to stop giving place to his [the enemy’s] lies.
me—uh…ok…yeah. You’re probably right. No! I know you’re right.

a new dedication

Noun: dedication, The act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action.

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

²Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

³For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.