Have you ever had so much on your mind that it is simply impossible to settle into a restful sleep? At this moment, it is 1:15am and I have so many unrelated thoughts swirling around in my head that I can barely think straight.

[Warning: the next paragraph is where I retch every last "issue" out of me. Feel free to skip it entirely.]

Attempts to “take my thoughts captive” are evading me. There are laundry and dishes to be done, groceries to buy, a field trip to prepare for and arrange carpooling for. And then there’s the landscaping guy who might be coming this week to do some major work, but he hasn’t returned any of our calls in the last week and a half. There are multiple responsibilities with the Bible study group I’m involved with including preparing dishes and table decorations for the end of the year bash, as well as my regular weekly duties dealing with childcare for the group. And then there’s the fiasco that occurred at church this morning: conflict with no immediate resolution, having to settle for being misunderstood, being told that asking questions is the same thing as complaining, all leading to less than ideal circumstances in which we will probably have to verbalize some things to church leadership we have been hesitant to verbalize.

Throughout all these thoughts, interwoven and set to music (because that’s about the only way that I can memorize them), has been flowing Scripture:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Phil. 4:6-7

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. -Hebrews 12:1-3

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose….What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? -Romans 8:28, 31

Somehow, in the midst of this cacophonous symphony of thoughts and prayer and praise, I am directed back to the One who has grace for it all. The One who holds it all in His hand and is not threatened by my questions, but simply thanks me for bringing them to Him. The One who gently helps me release my death-grip on my day and gives me the gift of another one with the hope that I will give this one back to Him more completely, for His glory not mine.

…

Okay, it took me a while to get here (for those who keep track of such things, it’s now 2am). Thanks for listening. (Yawn.) I think I’ll be able to get a little sleep now…