Aug
16
2012
What Happens To Me While I Sleep?
Posted in Faith 4 Comments
My oldest son has always been a thinker.
He has a wonderful way of looking at the world.
My husband was given a pocket watch as a groomsman for one of his brother’s wedding.
That pocket watch was something Kevin loved.
When it no longer worked, he would turn the hands and set the time himself.
It was right around the age that he was learning to tell time.
Kevin also had a pocket calculator when he was three years old.
It was green and had a teddy bear face that you slid up to reveal the number display.
He wanted to be like his Dad.
Kevin learned to tell time on a digital clock and an analog clock.
He would pretend that the calculator was the digital clock and punch in numbers.
He would turn the hands of the pocket watch to match the time he put on the calculator.
This was his show and tell for preschool one year.
He went through a stage that thankfully didn’t last very long.
He wanted to know what happened to him while he slept.
He would go to bed just fine…bath, pajamas, listen to the book I was reading to him.
He would fall asleep.
About an hour or two later, he would wake up and come downstairs and want to know what happened while he was sleeping.
After going through that stage with my son, I often wondered what children must think when they get on an elevator for the first time.
The doors close on one floor and open up on another.
A different world.
What happened while I was on the elevator?
This was hard to explain to my son.
Daddy and I were reading…we were having tea…your sisters and I were reading.
That is not what he wanted to hear.
What happened while “I” was sleeping?
What happened to me?
I would tell him he was growing while he was sleeping.
I would tell him he was dreaming while he was sleeping.
I would tell him he was getting stronger while he was sleeping…so he could play outside.
This would answer his question…but it did not satisfy his inquisitive heart.
One night he went to bed…and did not wake us up…wondering.
As abruptly as it started…it ended.
He never asked that question again.
There is Biblical precedent however.
Twice, God did something very important while the person slept.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. (Genesis 1:20-22)
Adam slept while God created Eve…Adam’s helper.
Bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh.
Another man, Abram, was told to leave his country, Ur of the Chaldeans, and go to the land God would show him.
Abram took his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot, and set out for the land of Canaan.
Even though Abram and Sarai were old, God promised that Abram would have an heir and it would come from his own body.
He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars, if indeed you can count them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord and He credited it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:5,6)
God promised Abram that he would take possession of the land God was giving him.
Abram asked how he could know that he would gain possession of the land.
The Lord said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” Abram brought all these to Him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds however, He did not cut in half…As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.
Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain…”
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…
(Genesis 15:8-13, 17, 18)
Adam slept and God created a woman.
Abram slept and God made an irrevocable covenant with him.
A helper.
A covenant.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4:8)
Kevin is in law school now…still thinking…still questioning.
Still under the constant care of His Heavenly Father…who never slumbers or sleeps.
What happens to me while I sleep?
God continues to work.
God is always there.
Thanks, God continues to be there and work on my behalf whether I am asleep or awake. Praise Him! My father had a pocket watch from his dad that did not work. When I received it it was a priority to get it fixed so that it does work. Now I have a 105 year old pocket watch that keeps perfect time from my earthly father. My heavenly father will always keep perfect time for me! I’ll tell you the whole story sometime… (ellipsis!)
Al,
What a wonderful addition to this story.
It is so comforting to know that our Heavenly Father is the perfect Father…always watching and caring…loving us when we are unlovable.
I look forward to the rest of the story.
Gina
The pocketwatch was from our wedding. I remember it well. I still love to read what you write, Gina. You have a gift and it is wonderful that you are using it this way. Please e-mail me privately when you have a moment?
Barb
Barb,
I know the pocket watch was from your wedding!
I remember that day so well, friend!
Only God could have two friends marry brothers…and become sisters in law.
And to think…there are 11 children between the two of us!
God is good!
If we only knew in first grade what we know now!
You are loved.
Gina