In my recliner with my television on, I can fall fast asleep, even when it is a program that I find interesting. Yet as soon as I lay down at the end of the night and bring the cover up, I feel like I’m instantly wide awake.

Whether it’s recapping the events of the day, or trying to prepare myself for tomorrow’s activities, my mind seems restless once my head hits the pillow. Vera tries to lull me to sleep with her kneading and purring, and while that can be relaxing, it’s just not enough to put me in dreamland. I keep reminding myself that I can’t do it all and that I need to put everything in God’s hands. I recall hearing a story about Pope St. John XXIII, that before he would go to sleep, he would pray, “I’ve done my best I could in your service this day, Oh Lord. I’m going to bed. It’s your church. Take care of it!” Can it be really that easy?

Recently in the Magnificat, there was a meditation from St. Peter Chrysologus where he reminded his flock that when we are asleep, God is not. God does keep watch over everyone and everything that occurs. While the enemy may take the opportunity to plan and create mischief, God knows what’s happening. 

“God cannot lose what He Himself guards. You author of deceit, you are fighting the Lord and not fighting against His servants by trying to have the result of your deceit ascribed to their negligence.”

St. Peter Chrysologus

There are many battles we will need to fight, but sleep is not one of them. Every day we are given the opportunity to do God’s will. Every day we can choose to hand over our lives to Him. Brooding and worrying does not help us in our challenges, rather they take away the precious minutes of the day we could enjoy if we trust that God takes care of us. Every night we are given the opportunity for a peaceful sleep, if only we just let go and let God keep watch over us.