Confessions of a Night Owl

Just do it, go to bed at a decent time every night! OK, if not every night at least 5-6 nights per week. I could certainly use some of the many health benefits from doing this oh so simple task:

• Weight loss, I need all the help I can get in this area
• Lower blood pressure, maybe get off my medication
• Increased patience, my son would love this one too
• Better memory, remember why I went upstairs
• Younger looking skin, no one could guess my age
• Les chance of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia
• No under eye circles, no need for make-up
• Better focus ability, not so easily distracted
• Just to name a few (without Google assistance).

Unfortunately, I’ve developed a BAD habit that is unbelievably hard to break. I’m hoping that with this confession, it’s the beginning of a new habit and a new bed time for me. Even though I’ve become a night owl, I still love the dawn best. The time just before daybreak is so peaceful and quiet, everything is still. I think that’s when I feel or sense God’s presence most.

Confession details: I needlessly stay up until 1 or 2 a.m. most nights.   On school days my alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m. Yes, I know that’s only 4-5 hours of sleep, 5 days per week. How can I expect to be all God has called me to be (faithful Christian, loving wife, patient mother) without appropriate rest? Even God rested on the 7^th day (Genesis 2:2-3), then He blessed the 7^th day and made it holy. I’m sure there’s a blessing for me when I obey and rest. Even Jesus slept on a boat (Matthew 8:24-26), in the middle of a storm. During the storm His disciples expressed their fear and Jesus said, “you of little faith, why are you so afraid?” So, who do I think I am that I don’t need adequate rest too? What am I afraid of?

I wonder how other moms do it. What do they tell themselves so they can just stop doing that “one last thing” and just go to bed? On one hand, I’m trying to finish everything, which I know intellectually is never going to happen. On the other hand, I’m trying to enjoy the peace and quiet and stillness in my house, I love that feeling.

Lord, help me truly see my need for rest, help me accept the fact that I can’t get it all done before I go to bed. Help me to obey and rest in you as I release my known and unknown fears to you. Help me embrace the fact that I can enjoy you with the peace and quiet and stillness of my house at dawn instead of at midnight, when I can barely keep my eyes open! Help me to let go and just go to bed! Night-nite ZZZzzz!