As I Lay Me...

When I was a young girl, I loved this song by Sophie B. Hawkins. I think I liked for a couple of reasons:
I loved the melody and it was easily stuck in my head.
I liked the words a lot and it was on the radio all the time.
most of all, in it were the words I prayed before bed each night.



As I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.



My mom and I would pray that together every evening between The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew mysteries and turning on the radio to lull me to sleep. Sometimes that song would come on as I was in bed. I remember something inside of me would soar when I heard that song. It was written as a love song, but it was so much more to me.


This (February--coincidence?) morning, as I sat in the dentist's chair praying for all of those I love who have lost loved ones or who are struggling...
jan
janet
ryan & chelsa
annie
julie
abbie
andrew
tim
matt & rachel
carla
sara
stephanie
tom

the list goes on and on and on....

and as I was talking to God on their behalf and in general, this sweet song began to play. I listened to the words, and suddenly they had new meaning.

It is a love song, but now I don't sing about someone, but TO Someone.

It is my heart cry for all of you who are carrying burdens today. May strength rise as you wait upon the Lord. And may He hold you dear, though you feel far away. May you whisper His name into the sky and wake up to a new day.

Join me in making this your prayer today not only for you but to those who hurt around you.


It felt like springtime on this February morning
In the courtyard birds were singing your praise
I'm still recalling things you said to make me feel all right
I carried them with me today now

As I lay me down to sleep
This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away
I'll whisper your name into the sky
And I will wake up happy

I wonder why I feel so high
Though I am not above the sorrow
Heavy-hearted
'Til you call my name
And it sounds like church bells
Or the whistle of a train
On a summer evening
I'll run to meet you
Barefoot
Barely breathing

As I lay me down to sleep
This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away
I'll whisper your name into the sky
And I will wake up happy

It's not too near for me
Like a flower I need the rain
Though it's not clear to me
Every season has its change
And I will see you
When the sun comes out again

As I lay me down to sleep
This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away
I'll whisper your name into the sky
And I will wake up happy




grace and peace to you, my friends.