You may recognize the title of this post as a line from a jingle for an over the counter sleep aid that was marketed years ago (Sominex). I had considered that being middle aged must include a nearly constant attentiveness to the quality of one’s sleep. I find that one of the first things I do upon waking is thank God for the rest that I’ve had, especially if it has been particularly refreshing, something that is more and more a rare occurrence now that I am in my 50’s. It is even less so for my husband as he says my snoring disturbs his sleep most nights. But when I consider that he has always been one to comment on the quality of his sleep (or lack thereof) ever since I’ve known him, maybe it’s not a midlife thing at all, but something that I’ve adopted as a habit after living with him for 33 years.
The former owner of my “new to me” home had stenciled a scripture around the ceiling in the guest bedroom: “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for Thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8) A while back, when NASA sent a probe to impact a comet, Bill and I were going to bed and knew that the impact was to occur during the night. Although it was hundreds of thousands of miles away from the earth, we kissed each other goodnight and speculated on whether or not such an unnatural act as attempting to bust up a comet might not bring about our own Earth’s destruction. So, hoping that we would, in fact, live to see the morning, we went to bed trusting God for safe rest.
I don’t take Sominex, but I do find that a prayer to the Lord gives me the peace I need to have safe and restful sleep, sleep, sleep…….. Goodnight!
