«In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe» (Psalm 4:8).
Moving can be hard. By the time I was eight years old I had already six times. Now it was time to move to Montevideo, and the house nice and safe; but I was afraid.
One night, drawing the sheets to cover myself up to my nose, I decided to dare get of bed and go to my parents’ room to tell them I couldn’t fall asleep. It was almost 2 a.m. and they had been sleeping for a long time.
With all the courage I could muster, I ran to their bedroom. I stood to their bed, leaned over carefully so as not to startle them, but then went away without saying a word. I didn’t want to wake them up and wondered if it was worthwhile to bother them. In the end, I quietly went back to bed . When I told them about it the next day, they said, «But, honey, why didn’t you wake us up?»
Many years later, I notice I sometimes have that same attitude toward God. I hesitate and make the mistake of thinking it’ s not worth it to bother Him. However, I remember that, in those sleepless, fearful nights, the verse that calmed me was today’s verse.
I’m sure your fears are not typical childhood fears. They may be related to what will happen in the future or your studies, job, relationships, moving, trips; or you may be living in a threatening situation that somehow distresses you.
But that same assurance King David had, that same peace that allowed me to sleep, is the one God offers us today. We don’t need to doubt for an instant His willingness to hear us, the protective hedge of angels He sends and His promise to take care of us all the time.
We sometimes suffer in silence; we know who to turn to but we mull it over and go back to our comer of pain without having received the comfort we needed and the vital strength only our Father can give us.
Let’ s not think He’ s tired of always listening to us telling Him about the same problem. He is already waiting. We don’t need to wake Him up. May He not have to tell you, «But, honey, why didn’t you seek Me?»