Sometimes night swirls around us with a darkness so dishearteningly deep, it’s hard to sleep. But, God is with us in our bleakest, darkest moments with lanterns of hope.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me…” (Psalm 23:4)
Darkness doesn’t always make sense. The sun may be shining bright outside, but inside there’s a comfortless void of dismal little deaths when our dreams are dashed, we’re stress oppressed, hope seems pointless, and worries wake us up at night.
Frenetic antics around our whacked-out world can (for certain) add to sleeplessness.
And pain, in all its sizes & stinging edges.
Pain often kept my bedfast quadriplegic Papa awake at night. He memorized old hymns and mind munched the words to distract pain in the dark wee hours. (Before calling out through the monitor for the caregiving elf to stumble in & turn him onto his other side.)
So, Virginia, we get it. No Santa Clauses around here: dark nights, can’t sleep, woe are we.
But, wait. Virginia hasn’t weaned herself off Christmas music (yet.) NO shame, you understand, intermingling Christmas music with her eclectic playlists all year round. One of this week’s high frequency comforting compilations is folk singer Shawn Colvin’s exquisite Holiday Songs and Lullabies. Here’s a nighttime song for today via YouTube (email readers, you know the drill: click to Roses website to view.) 🙂
Love along
His watch is keeping
All through the night
Sleep, my love
and peace attend thee
All through the night
This traditional Welsh lullaby offers hope: God is with us all through this night, and in all the nights and dark corners of our lives, to lighten our ways into (eventual) days.
“Be cheerful and rest trustingly in the arms of Divine Mercy, and do not fear.” Padre Pio (Saint Pio of Pietrelcina)
Don’t give up hope. Let go and let the peace of God attend you all through the night.
grace, peace & lanterns of hope
Virginia : )
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)
Roses in the Rubble 
Thanks for the inspiration and the boost.
Hopefully a Light-booster, Tim! (As in 💡 to boost internal sleep rockets to cruising 💤 s!) 🚀😴🚀
You may not have weaned off Christmas music, but I haven’t put away any of our decorations. 😉
It is what it is! Beautiful reflection here, though.
Oh Anni, we keep two (small) lighted trees out all year, plus a huge artificial fig tree strung with lights our parents acquired in the ‘70s. (Still looks cool & goes well with blaring year-round Christmas 🎶!) When I lived for yrs in Bethlehem (the Middle Eastern one) I kept crèche & candles out all year, too. Blessing & gratitude for YOU & your inspiring blog!! ☀️🎄☀️😎☀️🎄☀️
Loved your writing..Super Moon coming..no sleep at all..
Super Moon ? 🌙 Methinks it a bit cold for deck chair observation parties, but maybe if we bundle up? (Or we can wait for warm weather next one?) Much love! 💜🌔🌙🌔💜
Love that verse from Romans … appreciate your words of hope 🌺 🌹 🌸
Cin, that verse in a daily devotional this week went straight into journal. Sometimes watching the news Hope gets dashed & depleted with all the sordid goings-on — that’s why Holy Spirit powered faith is needed to keep our hope reserves steadily functioning. Much love (& Hope!) 🚀🙏🚀🤗🚀🙏🚀
He’s indeed with us even in our darkest moment; I can truly attest to that.
Thanks for this encouraging post and great reminder! ✨
P.S; it’s never too early or late to play a Christmas sing! 😉
☀️ Sunshine (shining again!) You (& your inspiring blog) are all about this! Your posts often serve as rockets of Hope, encouraging our hearts to seek (& BE) the Light of Jesus. All-year-round Christmas caroling blessings!! 🚀☀️🚀🙏🚀☀️🚀
I used to sing this song to my son before he fell asleep at night. It’s one of my all-time favorites … and, I suspect, his as well. Take heart, Virginia — the days are growing longer as we speak!!
Oh Debbie, how precious! Now your story will make listening to this lullaby more special. There’s something about getting older – I used to be such a night owl (in my early 20s we didn’t go out til midnight?) Now that’s way past my fuddy duddy bedtime. Blessings! 🌙🎶😴🎶🌙
Me, too, but I make up for it by getting up before the chickens at 5:30, ha!!
I am going to use this with my patients..love you, Virginia..Super Moon coming❄❄❄
Love you to the moon & back, Carol-Jo! 🚀🌙🚀 Blessings as you serve (with your incredible toolkit) as the healing Light of Jesus to hurting hearts & minds & bodies. 💜😷💜
I want to learn to play that on my violin-and your post is beautiful-thank you Michele
Michele, you’re in good company – violins remind me of my precious Mama! What a gift you have, to play such a lovely instrument sharing Light through the beauty of music that lifts our spirits to the Heavenlies. Much love!!!! ✨🎻🌟💜🌟🎻✨
thank you Virginia! I have been truly blessed. love Michele