Tick Tock. Tick Tock.

Tick tock. Tick tock. She stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours as the clock in the hall seemed to be the only sound outside of her head. 

In her head thoughts ran like a kitchen faucet forgotten for hours. Then the memories flooded her mind in a staccato pattern. These were like a coffee pot percolating like the old-fashioned one she grew up listening to in the early hours every day of her childhood.

Sleep seemed elusive. Everyone in the house was soundly asleep in dreamland enjoying sweet rest. She had no rest and rest was not to be had. Or so she thought. She was wrong. 

Her thoughts then led to counting sheep. She counted to 100 and still her head was filled with next day To Do's and yesterday's Did Not Do List. Regret. Remorse. Restlessness.

Then the sweet voice of her God gently nudged her soul with a wonderful thought placed in the midst of the clattering thoughts in her head. My beloved, "Why don't you pray?" 

It was as if a wind rose in her heart - a beautifully gusty autumn breeze. The kind of gentle whispering of air freshly ushered in from the ocean. And her heart swelled with a wave of hope. For it was no longer about her needs and regrets and have-to-do's. It was about others.

She prayed that night. She talked to God about not knowing how to pray for so many because the needs were so great. She admitted how overwhelmed she was with all that was happening to so many in the world. Tears flowed as she grieved over so much loss and pain so many faced. Names came to mind of others who asked for prayer specifically. She admitted only God could meet those needs and change those hearts and heal those wounds.

Something happened in those few minutes. Her breathing slowed and her mind stopped racing. She no longer heard the Tick tock Tick tock from the hall. She closed her eyes as the tears evaporated. She took a deep breath then fell into a deep sleep. Peacefully in her Father's arms she slept as the angels danced overhead. She finally understood that counting sheep would never give the peace which prayer provides.

And the next day she arose rested and full of joy. And the next night and the night after and many nights after when the racing thoughts and regrets came - - - she never again listened to Tick tock Tick tock but instead to her Father's voice. She prayed and she slept peacefully. Again and again.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.- Psalm 4:8 NASB. 

And she did.....

Be blessed! Revelation 5:11, Isaiah 6:3