Sleep is forgiveness

 

“Life is grace. Sleep is forgiveness. The night absolves. Darkness wipes the slate clean, not spotless to be sure, but clean enough for another day's chalking.” - Frederick Buechner, The Alphabet of Grace

What could Buechner have meant when he declared that 'sleep is forgiveness?' Is it that as we say goodbye to the trials and sins of today, we pass through the darkness of night, which acts as a cloth, wiping the slate clean? I had never really thought of it in this way, but it does make sense to me? 

Perhaps we should try this and see how it works for us? To release the pain and failure of today into the hands of a merciful Christ and trust that in the morning we will feel the freedom of a new beginning.

Isaiah 1:18 - “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Remembering God through the night

"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." - Psalm 63:6-7

The first impression I get from these verses is of David struggling to sleep. As he lies awake at night - perhaps fearing for his life or just thinking about his troubles, so he turns to God. He remembers God and that God has been with him in the past. We also know that the 'night' was considered to a symbol of evil and the demonic world, so David allows his thoughts to turn to God in these dark times, rather than dwell on the evil around him.

The picture of a tiny bird singing in the shelter of her mother's wings comes to my mind as I read through the second part of the passage. The chick is vulnerable and afraid, yet it is able to sing because it has the reassurance of its mother close by. 

How does this make you feel at the moment? Can you relate in anyway?

Eugene Peterson paraphrases these verses in this way:

If I’m sleepless at midnight,
    I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you’ve always stood up for me,
    I’m free to run and play.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A Prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"God of the day and the night,
in me there is darkness,
but with you there is light.
I am alone, but you will not leave me.
I am weak, but you will come to my help.
I am restless, but you are my peace.
I am in haste, but you are the God of infinite patience.
I am confused and lost,
but you are eternal wisdom
and you direct my path;
now and forever. Amen." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This is such an inspiring prayer that I don't want to mess it up by adding any more words to it. If you are interested in reading a scripture that could go with this prayer then read Psalm 73:23-26

Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

Living in Grace
D3LM3