It’s after midnight.
Note to self: Do not drink a tall nonfat misto with three pumps of white mocha (because, you know, the nonfat status really makes up for those three pumps of pure sugar) at 7:00pm. You will be awake long past your bedtime of 8pm 10pm.
But you know what? It’s actually kinda nice being up at this time of night. The boys have been waking up ridiculously early this week–a fact which nicely coincided with me trying to conquer the stomach flu and thinking I really could have stood to sleep past 6:30am a time or two–which means there hasn’t been much quiet time around here.
But it’s quiet now.
After laying in bed for 45 minutes, I decided to just go ahead and get up. I know I’ll be regretting it when the alarm clock sounds the trumpets in the morning, but I figure, as nice as it is to snuggle next to my sleeping husband, it might be good to get a few things done that I can’t do in the middle of the day.
Things like… spend a bit of quiet time with my Jesus.
I’d been missing Him this week. What with the boys’ early waking, my stomach bug and Merritt’s lack of wanting to sleep longer than 30-40 minutes at naptime, I hadn’t really made much time to spend with Him. My soul was thirsty. I could feel the parchedness getting worse by the hour. By this evening, I told John something was just wrong and I wasn’t sure what it was. But as I wiped counters and stacked dishes, I realized I really did know. I just needed Jesus.
I’ve been feeling a little… scattered. Pulled in several directions at once and not sure which thing to let go of in an effort to ease the tension. Whether or not I should ease the tension. I needed guidance, direction, and just to feel my Lord’s arms surround me and remind me that He is enough. That He has it all in control.
As I slipped out of bed at 11pm tonight, walked down the stairs, turned the light to dim and picked up my stack of Bibles, devotionals and study books, I asked God to please speak to me. To empty me of “me” and just fill me with Him. Because trying to figure it all out on my own was wearying me.
And He did. Of course He did. He seems to delight in showing us Himself, you know?
I think I’m going to head up to bed here soon. My eyelids are getting a little droopy. I can’t say I have all the little details of the issues I’m contemplating figured out, but I’m thinking I can rest easier now since being reassured my mighty God does.
In fact, He has things so in control that he sometimes even does unexpected things–like have us drink a cup of coffee without thinking–just because He wants to have a special little date with us.
Nighty-night, peeps.
Emily says:
Thanks for sharing that. I know I often times can’t sleep at night [because im 17 and just don't like sleep] but that’s awesome how you took that time to catch up with the Lord. I love things like that that the Lord does. He’s an amazing God and knows exactly what we need!
-Emily
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:01 am
bessie.viola says:
This is again so inspiring to me. I’m so glad that I found your page! Thanks for showing me another way to rejuvenate myself at the end of a long day.
Hope the rest of your night was peaceful!
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 am
Robin says:
Thanks for shraing your heart. I so enjoy reading your blogs! As I read I can almost see and hear you. :)
Enjoy your visit with your mom today. Though it sounds like you may be catching up on some sleep.
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Mishel says:
Beautiful post…
See you in a bit! : )
Love,
Mama
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 am
Ruth Ann says:
thanks so much for posting, Ashleigh. I really needed to hear this.
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Mamasphere says:
Three pumps of white mocha AND a date with God? Sounds like a pretty great way to end the day! Glad you found your time with him and refilled your soul.
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:55 am
Anonymous says:
That is great to have a date with God.
I do wonder if you have a stomach bug or if it is BIG NEWS, hehe
Mrs M
[Reply]
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Betty Beguiles says:
Beautiful!
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October 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Ginger says:
Thank you!!
Ginger~
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October 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
ElfTea says:
Lovely
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October 24th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Madeleine says:
Awww.
Great post. I hope you get to feeling physically better….
[Reply]
October 24th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Natalie Nyquist says:
I see that little book by Cynthia Heald in your picture. A copy was sent to me by a YLCF reader and I went through it recently. It’s good. :)
[Reply]
October 24th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Megan says:
Hey I couldn’t finish your post because every time I come to your page, after a few minutes it redirects me to a ‘google search’ that I did not enter. Is anybody else having this happen or is it just me? I’m wondering if it’s an application or a video that’s not working or something. In the ’search’ line, it says something about Heart and Home and Kraft Singles and a whole bunch of other jibberish. Weird!
Anyways- I think I’ll be reading this post on bloglines- i’m paranoid! xoxo!
-meg
[Reply]
October 24th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Anonymous says:
Hmm…..I would agree with Mrs. M. However, I just didn’t want to be the first one to write it! :) hehe
I do hope you’re feeling completely better soon (whatever the reason for your illness), and that you have a restful(?) time at your parents’ house.
In Christ,
~Allie~
[Reply]
October 24th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Hannah C. says:
Wow..I agree with everyone else – great, wonderful post. :)
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October 24th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Mrs. Julie Fink says:
I just had this same kind of meeting with God this morning. Bless you.
[Reply]
October 25th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Tiffany says:
I love date morning, afternoon night!!
[Reply]
October 29th, 2008 at 4:15 pm