Sunday, January 27, 2013

.He, watching over Israel, slumbers not nor sleeps.


The "little girls" wanted to have a sleepover at my house last night...

At 5 am, in the quiet darkness, a panicked, sleepy voice:
"Emily!!!"
I woke, found the voice and its accompanying curled up body across the room,
"Sweetheart, I'm right here. Are you ok?"

"No. My stomach hurts."

"I'm sorry." I rubbed her back. "Can I get you some water?"
"No, I'm okay."
"...Do you think you need to go home?"
"No way!"
Umm... "Okay. I'm sorry you don't feel good."
"It's okay."

Back to sleep.

Fifteen minutes later,
"EMILY!!!"
"What's wrong, babe?"
"My stomach really hurts."
More back rubbing. More soothing voice.
"Are you going to throw up?"
"No."
"...Do you want water? Or some medicine?"
"No."
...
"Can I... do anything for you?"
"Nope."

So I'm thinking,
...Why are you telling me?
Not because I was annoyed- I had told the girls to wake me.
But I was truly confused.
She didn't want water.
She didn't want medicine.
She didn't want to go home.
She wasn't particularly upset.

I sat with her and held her hand for a few minutes. She rolled over and seemed fine.

She just needed to know that somebody was awake and aware.

Almost two years ago now, one morning at Rez, I tore lyrics out of a church bulletin and stuck them in my Bible.

They're still there, tucked in the pages of the psalms...

I just need to know that He's awake and aware.




...He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper.
-psalm 121.3-5-


Sweet comfort.

1 comment:

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.