The Rest
We give hearty thanks for the rest of the past night
and for the gift of a new day,
with its opportunities of pleasing you.
Grant that we may so pass its hours
in the perfect freedom of your service,
that at eventide we may again
give thanks to you. Amen.
—from the Eastern Orthodox tradition,
#676 in our current United Methodist Hymnal
You and I get excited over lotsa stuff.
We could easily name several examples…and there are probably a few best keep private at the moment.
Maybe we haven’t taken time to intentionally give hearty thanks for the rest of this past night.
If the rest of this past night has ever been elusive, that line takes on special significance.
Here’s some ancient context for us: “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat– for God grants sleep to those God loves.” — Psalm 127:2
Focus right now on the “God grants sleep” part with me, and let’s be thankful.
In fact, let’s give hearty thanks for the rest of this past night.
joescheets 
I was blessed with sleep last night and am thankful. This may be a week of a couple of all-nighters. The price paid for the delight I will see on my granddaughter’s face. And, the money that will take me to the end of the month with the completion of a, rare, paid sewing project. Believe me, the richest part of the labor will be that look on Tara’s face with the most beautiful Elsa costume of any $200 costume available!!!!!
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