Mommy Blog

Thoughtful Thursday-Super Sleepy

in Thoughtful Thursdays on April 9, 2015

I want to talk to you about bizarre sleep patterns.  As you know I have children, that in itself should tell you I’m going to have some interesting nocturnal occurrences at my house.  We have your typical bad dreams that occasionally stretch into the terrifying nightmares.  We have even had to deal with the “night terror,” which is nothing short of traumatic for both kiddo and parent.  And, with three kids…you know at least one of them is bound to talk in their sleep.  But today I want to zero in on the time when we encountered a new phenomenon–sleep walking.  Sounds amusing, right?  Not so much.  Thankfully my youngest child does not read these Thoughtful Thursdays, because it is around he, that this week’s centers on.  When Elliott was much, much younger he began sleep walking.  In his defense, he was trying (I hoped) to make it to the bathroom.  But in his groggy state of mind, his sweet little brain was not exactly clear as to which door actually lead to the bathroom…and which door lead to—let’s say, his CLOSET…for instance.  (Collective groan from all of the mommas out there who’ve ever had to clean up a mess like that)  Naturally my mind began to circle…but came up short as to where in the Bible I was going to find something in Scripture relating to my latest dilemma.

Sleep causes us to do some interesting things.  Scientifically speaking, sleep allows our bodies to reboot.  We rest and recharge, so we are ready to face the trials and challenges of the next day.  But did you know that often times when the Bible mentions “sleep” it means that the person or people of reference has died?  Talk about recharging!  We find this exact situation with Jesus, His disciples and their friend, Lazarus.  Here’s the set-up: Jesus and His disciples are near the river Jordan teaching when Jesus gets word that His friend Lazarus is sick.  Instead of hurrying off to where Lazarus was, Jesus stayed right where He was and continued teaching.  After a couple of days, He tells the disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (John 11:11).

The disciples (bless them) said, “‘Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.’ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep'” (John 11:12-13).

When Jesus arrived on the scene, He was met with Martha, Lazarus’ grieving sister.  She was noticeably upset and told Jesus if  only He had been there, her brother would not have died.  She then takes Him to where her brother had been laid.  Jesus tells the people gathered around his cave, “Take away the stone,” (John 11:30).

Martha is concerned, “But, Lord…by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been in there four days” (John 11:39).  Don’t you just love her practicality?  You see,  Jesus had a plan for this family.  It was no accident that He waited until Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.  This was significant.  Many Jews believed that a person’s soul lingered for about three days after death, so by Lazarus being dead for four…not only made him dead, but super dead–according to their custom.  So, what happened?  Jesus spoke.  Death could not hold its grip on Lazarus.  Jesus prayed aloud for the people to hear, and then “called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!'” (John 11:43).

Bizarre sleep patterns…does it get more strange than that?  Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do in relation to Lazarus.  He knew that God’s glory would be shown through the raising of a dead man.  Even more glory than that would be shown through the raising of Jesus Christ, Himself.  We are “super-dead,” meaning, we cannot save ourselves from the patterns of this world that cause our conscience to fall asleep. But, Jesus can.  His redeeming power through the Cross wakes us up.  Jesus prayed, and then spoke boldly and Lazarus obeyed.  He awoke from his bizarre sleep pattern.  Where does that leave Elliott?  Well…I prayed, spoke boldly and then woke him up BEFORE he mistook his closet for the bathroom for anymore nights…and then we replaced the carpet!

“I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die”  (John 11:25-26)

Here’s hoping you get the sleep you need!

-Dallas