Star-Gazer

Star Catcher MJG

 

Pulling back the curtain that night I answered the moons call. Captivated by the darkness before midnight, it’s star lit magnificence, I stood in silence. The moon is magical and I imagine the God cord of my heart pulling, drawing me to pay attention.

In all my days doing sometimes, it’s hard to hear. The typical sounds of a life at home with children can drown out any thoughts I have of finding time to just be with God. Whether it’s water running in the kitchen sink or a squabble between my tweens brewing in the next room, my focus rarely remains inward…in that space I like to be, to hear from God.

So I’ve gotten used to hearing him in everything. And expect him to show up in the strangest places. Because thats just the way life is and He knows it. He loves me enough to offer tailor made visions of grace when and where I need them.

That night I knew it was him when I got out of bed. I wanted to sleep but couldn’t. He was the luminous light making it’s way through the summer heat to find me in an apartment in Manhattan. Five stories up and feet on the floor, I surrendered to his call.

I stood in the moonlight, felt the embrace of a God who screamed through the brilliance of a million stars – REST.

And He’s right. I haven’t been sleeping well.

It’s the endless streams of information I pour into my heart and mind before going to bed. It’s the way I’ve trained myself to stay up well beyond a reasonable hour trying to get it all done. But I’m functioning on an average of 4 hours of sleep a night. Moonlighting after midnight is wearing me out.
Are you guilty of staying up late to get things done? Fooling yourself into thinking the Keebler elf hours are the only ones available to tackle the to do list? Disguising your lack of proper rest as a quest for “me” time?

In the restorative rest of sleep is a promise. We’ll dream dreams and have visions of things He wants us to see. Sleep is holy – and lack of it over a prolonged period of time is unhealthy. Proper rest is necessary to wage an effective battle plan against the enemy. Rest is spiritual.

I love the stars, I do…but my late night life isn’t helping me be a better wife, mother or in real life friend. Better to balance my twilight jaunts with a few intentionally prescribed dates with the sandman. Balance my love of all things creative with a very real need for sleep. Better to tune into the rhythm of sunrise and set. Better to use wisdom.

Message received.

I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady, Fearless before the enemy mobs coming at me from all sides. Psalm‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬ MSG

collage : Star Catcher by Mirlande Jean-Gilles

19 Responses to Star-Gazer
  1. Laura Rath
    August 5, 2014 | 2:22 pm

    “Proper rest is necessary to wage an effective battle plan against the enemy.”

    Perfectly said Lisha! 🙂 God made us to need rest, but we fight it. So, we wear ourselves out…and when we’re worn out tired we become vulnerable to the enemy, too tired to fight his lies.

    • lisha epperson
      August 6, 2014 | 2:22 pm

      I love to write at night. And sometimes feel its the only time I can get to my sweet spot but staying up past 2 a.m. consistently, is so obviously doing a number on me. I thought he called me out of bed for one of our quiet times but really it was a rebuke and I received it. Thanks for reading.

  2. Sandra Heska King
    August 6, 2014 | 9:13 am

    I love that you found rest with your feet on the floor. 🙂

    • Lisha Epperson
      August 8, 2014 | 12:03 am

      I love your comments Sandra. I get you. Better on the floor than out the window huh?

  3. Sara Martin
    August 6, 2014 | 9:32 am

    So true! And a good reminder as I start back up with the demands of nursing school after a short summer vacation.

    • Lisha Epperson
      August 8, 2014 | 12:02 am

      I’d say sleep will be your friend Sara. Best of luck with nursing school and thanks so much for reading.

  4. Lisa notes
    August 6, 2014 | 9:55 am

    This is a lesson I have to learn over and over. Rest is so crucial to all areas of our lives. When I refuse to rest, it’s proof I’m holding on to too much control of my own, instead of surrendering to God.

    Love this, Lisha. Me, too! “So I’ve gotten used to hearing him in everything. And expect him to show up in the strangest places. Because thats just the way life is and He knows it. He loves me enough to offer tailor made visions of grace when and where I need them.”

    • Lisha Epperson
      August 8, 2014 | 12:00 am

      I’ve definitely fine tuned the art of listening and looking for Him. With my world, my life the way it is, I have to. But yes friend, like you, the lesson on rest has to learned over and over again. How are you? I couldn’t keep the schedule with my usual linkups this summer. Missing my friends at #TellHisStory and #TheWeekendBrew.

      • Lisa notes
        August 10, 2014 | 5:27 pm

        I understand how difficult it is to visit around among the blogs–I have good weeks/bad weeks with it too. But we’re all still friends here. 🙂 Summer has been busy for me too, and not stopping yet. I’m trying to learn to rest in the midst of it all. I always appreciate reading your perspective on life and broadening my own view of how to live life out loud for Jesus in my everyday world. Have a great week ahead, Lisha!

  5. ~Karrilee~
    August 6, 2014 | 10:31 am

    Oh Girl… yes! I get this one… I can forget how important sleep really is and push on through to continue to DO. But Rest is vital and I love how you said it: “He loves me enough to offer tailor made visions of grace when and where I need them.” Such a great reminder that sometimes I need them when I am asleep in my bed… and not determined to stay up to finish a bossy list (that He may or may not have had anything to do with making for me anyway!)

    Rest well, dear friend! Rest well!

    • Lisha Epperson
      August 7, 2014 | 11:50 pm

      See, yeah,the bossy list. But my bossy list became late night jaunts online. No washing dishes or tidying. Girl I’m up writing. But balance beauty, balance is key. Appreciate your visits Karrilee, always.

  6. Carol Longenecker Hiestand
    August 6, 2014 | 11:38 am

    yes, the push/pull of a mom’s life. Perhaps you do things like this too, but when i was a young mom with three little ones, I had a “mom’s day off” every other week. I paid another mom to keep my boys for at least 3 hours, sometimes more. often i drove into town to a hotel dining room and read, wrote letters, read some more and dined on oatmeal and coffee! somedays i simply went back to my quiet house and listened to the silence. Somehow, it seemed like i could be OK if I knew Wednesday was coming! My son would sometimes ask “is this week mommy’s day off?” I think they liked it as much as me! Praying for you this morning as you manage the push/pull.

    • Lisha Epperson
      August 7, 2014 | 11:43 pm

      I was better at that kind of thing when I had two children. Then I was intentional about planning time off. As a mom of 4 my dance ministry rehearsals provided a change of pace. Because of an injury that time gave way to late nights at home. For awhile 4 am was my regular shut down time. Ridiculous, I know. But I’m in the middle of this message and the sleep has been delicious. Thanks for reading.

  7. Laura Connell
    August 6, 2014 | 11:59 am

    I tend to get to bed at a reasonable hour and get lots of sleep…however, lately I have not been sleeping through the night and feeling very tired as a result. I am not sure what is causing my restless sleep patterns but pray it is only short-lived. I’m glad to hear you will be getting more rest – it really does improve quality of life and make everything more manageable.

  8. lisha epperson
    August 6, 2014 | 2:24 pm

    I know my blogging mamas feel me on this one Karrilee. Strangely enough my to do list of household chores got pushed aside for writing and connecting with online friends. My kitchen is seriously calling for an intervention of much needed attention. Thanks for visiting me here, I’ll be posting monthly but mindful of the rest I need.

  9. Devi
    August 7, 2014 | 5:11 am

    Stopping by from the #TellHisStory community. Thanks so much for this, Lisha. We’ve made some major schedule adjustments to accommodate for more sleep in our lives, and reading this was like the confirmation that we made the right decision. Sleep is holy – YES. Thank you.

    • Lisha Epperson
      August 7, 2014 | 11:38 pm

      I work hard lately to keep a schedule. Now, 3 nights a week I go to bed when my children do. Lights out, no excuses. For a while I’d wake up after midnight but now I’m sleeping through the night. Like baby. Thanks for stopping by Devi.

  10. Velynn
    August 8, 2014 | 9:50 am

    Love this Sis. My lack of rest has taken over in the awake hours. I keep finding myself clenched fist held tight resisting the changes that have come in my life. Leaving me unable to be truly present in the “right nows” of this life God has chosen to give me. I need this sacred rest, this holy knowing of Him and His presence around me when the sun is shining bright. Thanks for the reminder.

    • Lisha Epperson
      August 11, 2014 | 8:55 pm

      It’s the mama struggle isn’t it Velynn? And it’s do important to be present , like you say, for your right now life. Tune out and tune in – to the restoration only He can provide. Rest well beauty.