I am blessed to be a very sound sleeper, out I go and out I stay, except
for the occasional trip to the outhouse, I’m at that age. But one sound I do
make is I snore sometimes, or so I am told, never heard it myself, but Theresa
will confirm if needed. It is rare I have trouble falling asleep, then I think
of the cartoons when I was a kid, of the man not being able to sleep and
counting sheep, which would only raise questions in my mind, why sheep? Why
jumping over a fence, are they going in, or out? Did I start at the beginning
or in the middle, if I forget, do I start over? And if I do fall asleep, what
if I cannot remember where I stopped counting? Which would only keep me up,
instead of granting me the rest I need. Up early one morning, I started
thinking of all the motorcycles I have ever owned over 47 years, and I was
anything but sleepy after that. For each one took me on rides, a remembrance of
friends, and I couldn’t wait until I could get up and ride. So much for sleep
therapy....
But an unofficial count of bikes owned, hold title too, and remembered was
impressive, at least to me, if not scary. Based on memory, which like my
computer can crash without notice when needed most, unofficially I remember
three Hondas, five Yamahas, eight Suzukis, four Kawasakis, five BMW’s, and I
think somewhere between 16-19 Triumphs. Which should have me owning somewhere
between 40-44 bikes. Now I’m sleepy, which raises more questions, where did all
the money come from, where did they all go? At almost one bike for year ridden,
adding up to over one million miles, when did I have time for anything else or
anyone else? Do I officially have MMS? Multiple Motorcycle Syndrome? Where
did all the money come from, I now know where it went. And without ever owning
a Harley, am I a real biker? Or just a guy who rides...a lot? So I guess
counting motorcycles is not the way to fall asleep...
Now if you ride you know that this private sanctuary behind the handlebars
is where we can find peace and a time to think, or in my case pray. But when
not riding, when do we find the time to pray? The Bible talks about unceasing
prayer, meditating on the Word, and if truly Jesus never leaves us, he doesn’t,
we always have him available for prayer time. Too many teachings over the
years have been devoted to time of personal prayer, going into your prayer
closet, and I know of some who literally go into a closet to be alone. Or
office with door shut, all on a timely scheduled basis. A regimen like, wake
up, read Bible, eat breakfast, pray, go to work. As if each is a chore to be
checked off, then onto the next. But what about praying without ceasing? Ever
fall asleep in prayer, wake up still in prayer, fall back asleep, and finally
wake up and it is morning, refreshed? I do. But with having a family,
ministering, and finding time to ride, seems most waking hours are spent awake,
with little time for God. Who isn’t a habit, but inhabits my thoughts all the
time. Many years ago he started waking me up at 3am, to spend quiet time with
me. Seems the party goers are home and passed out by then, and those who rise
early for work haven’t risen yet. It is quiet, no interruptions, and it is a
quiet, personal time where the spirit talks, I can listen, and we have time
together, no closet included. And somehow the times spent with him over the
years has never cost me any sleep time, in fact many mornings I wake up very
refreshed, because of the time spent listening, maybe a key ingredient to
prayer. So here are some hints to help you have a good night sleep.
Start off prayer by thanking Jesus for getting you through another day.
Then listen for his voice, and where he wants to take you. Too many times
prayer is all about asking God, but when we listen to him, we get more prayers
answered and many times ones we don’t know or would never ask. The spirit knows
long before we do. And don’t cut God short, he in never long winded, but when
the mind kicks in, the places he will take you. Sometimes it is just one word,
or one sentence, but it speaks volumes. And then there are the times I cannot
wait until bedtime to go back and listen some more. I would call that effective
prayer and time well spent. But after that precious time, I have to put what he
showed me into action.....but know that whatever he has begun in me he will be
faithful to complete, and no matter, if he guides he also provides. No worries
of about how when you know who. Maybe listening is the most important part of
prayer, if not ,why do you ask, do you not expect an answer?
So while some count sheep, I count blessings, and listen for my Lord Jesus
to give me all I need. In all things. A local mattress ad tells promises a
“good nights sleep and all the rest.” God promises me all the rest, and a good
night’s sleep.” Maybe it is not what you count but who you count on that makes
the difference. Something to consider the next time you “now I lay me down to
sleep.” I’ve already given him my soul to keep. And I still cannot believe I
snore, because I still haven’t heard myself!
And to all a good night...for me, a sleep therapy that really works!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com