Tucking Under The Covers
The day had been very full. We were able to get it all done and there had been a lot to do. My wife and I both hurt from top to bottom. The ordinary little aches and pains were now not ordinary any longer. We hurt big time – but she was suffering worse than I was. Tough and full days do that to us ‘oldies’. We both are realizing that ‘old happens’ when you least expect it.
It was at that point last evening that it happened again. It was well after midnight and everyone was in bed. Outside the sky was so clear and the full moon was as bright and big as it ever has been. The mazes of back yards that can be seen from our deck were still except for the steady call of a summer cricket. He offered an amazing rhythm of sound so late at night. Quietness had come again. Stillness had settled in to calm all fears.
I stood for a long time savoring the wonder that spread before me. I could paint the night. I could sketch the darkness at that moment. I could take my artist’s brush and dip it deeply into complete calm and capture the wonder of the break from daytime turmoil. Then I did it. The scene of complete peace gently seeped into my mind and the master piece was done. It was mine to keep forever.
As I slipped into my bed the sleep was instantaneous. The last thing that I remember was pulling up the cover and snuggling under the cool sheets. It was like sampling a great dessert. Mmmmm…!
The deep impression is that I have today is that through all the anger, the violence and the struggles of each day comes the wonderful gift that God gives me each night. He carefully pulls the big blanket of night over me and it is done.
Many years ago I hated the night because it interrupted my daytime fun. I used to think that it was such a pain to stop the wild flurry that was taking place all around me. It was nonsense to stop a perfectly good day with the dumb dark. That was when I was younger.
Older is different. It is a new time when the night has grown as deeply desired peace. It is a time of quiet healing. The turmoil is gone and the struggle for that day is over. Wow – does that big cover of darkness ever feel good?
When my eyes opened this morning the pain was a little less and the birds were giving the steady wake up call. As I watched the same back yard it was a blaze with golden sunshine. My winged friends were dashing from branch to branch. I grinned as I stood looking out the door and said aloud, “Slow down guys, I am not quite ready for that much action…”
I am so thankful today for a gift that God gave this day. Actually it has been given each day this past week and I have sometimes failed to appreciate it. It is a happy heart and a peaceful spirit. In a small way I feel that I am cheating someone else in that I have so much peace.
Pause…
Oops I just checked my email and another problem has laid itself out for me to consider. The telephone rang for an early morning request. The day has started. But with each new request there has been a new peace for that day.
A long time ago Jesus said some powerful words. I have yet to find another person that has stated it better. When his followers had expressed some fear and exasperation with the events around them he said…
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matt 6:25-30 (New International Version of the Bible)
Today will be a good day stuffed with a few problems that will come my way I am sure. But after today – tonight is on its way. It is so good – so very good. Thanks God… thanks so much.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
It was at that point last evening that it happened again. It was well after midnight and everyone was in bed. Outside the sky was so clear and the full moon was as bright and big as it ever has been. The mazes of back yards that can be seen from our deck were still except for the steady call of a summer cricket. He offered an amazing rhythm of sound so late at night. Quietness had come again. Stillness had settled in to calm all fears.
I stood for a long time savoring the wonder that spread before me. I could paint the night. I could sketch the darkness at that moment. I could take my artist’s brush and dip it deeply into complete calm and capture the wonder of the break from daytime turmoil. Then I did it. The scene of complete peace gently seeped into my mind and the master piece was done. It was mine to keep forever.
As I slipped into my bed the sleep was instantaneous. The last thing that I remember was pulling up the cover and snuggling under the cool sheets. It was like sampling a great dessert. Mmmmm…!
The deep impression is that I have today is that through all the anger, the violence and the struggles of each day comes the wonderful gift that God gives me each night. He carefully pulls the big blanket of night over me and it is done.
Many years ago I hated the night because it interrupted my daytime fun. I used to think that it was such a pain to stop the wild flurry that was taking place all around me. It was nonsense to stop a perfectly good day with the dumb dark. That was when I was younger.
Older is different. It is a new time when the night has grown as deeply desired peace. It is a time of quiet healing. The turmoil is gone and the struggle for that day is over. Wow – does that big cover of darkness ever feel good?
When my eyes opened this morning the pain was a little less and the birds were giving the steady wake up call. As I watched the same back yard it was a blaze with golden sunshine. My winged friends were dashing from branch to branch. I grinned as I stood looking out the door and said aloud, “Slow down guys, I am not quite ready for that much action…”
I am so thankful today for a gift that God gave this day. Actually it has been given each day this past week and I have sometimes failed to appreciate it. It is a happy heart and a peaceful spirit. In a small way I feel that I am cheating someone else in that I have so much peace.
Pause…
Oops I just checked my email and another problem has laid itself out for me to consider. The telephone rang for an early morning request. The day has started. But with each new request there has been a new peace for that day.
A long time ago Jesus said some powerful words. I have yet to find another person that has stated it better. When his followers had expressed some fear and exasperation with the events around them he said…
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matt 6:25-30 (New International Version of the Bible)
Today will be a good day stuffed with a few problems that will come my way I am sure. But after today – tonight is on its way. It is so good – so very good. Thanks God… thanks so much.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Monday, July 30, 2007
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