a song in the night

Do you ever find yourself awake in the middle of the night, mind abuzz with what you regret from yesterday, what you didn’t accomplish today, and what is coming towards you tomorrow for which you are unprepared? Lately I have been hearing more and more friends saying that they experience this more often than before. It is greatly due to the difficult past year and a half we have faced, dealing with a pandemic and the loss of life it has brought, the uncertainty of jobs and schooling, as well as other stressful and panic-inducing events, tragedies, and general change we have all faced together. I have spent hours searching for apps, videos, recordings, books, essential oils/diffusers, humidifiers, noise machines, salt lamps, pillows, herbal teas, etc. etc. that might help me stay asleep and get much-needed rest. While these things can often be helpful, sometimes it feels fruitless. I have seen some of you searching as well. And sadly, even when we find these things (and spend quite a bit on them), they don’t always ensure us an uninterrupted night of pure, simple, sweet rest. After a conversation with a friend about an idea that worked for her during these middle-of-the-night wakings, these lyrics from an old old hymn came to mind: “O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night, come to us with Your tender love, our soul’s delight. Unto Thee, O my Lord, in affliction I call, my comfort by day and my song in the night.” My friend’s idea was to have a favorite tune or phrase of words from a hymn (or worship song) that you recall when you just can’t get your thoughts to slow down, whether it’s the middle of the night or during the day. The Psalmist speaks of this “song in the night” in Psalm 77 and it is also referenced in Job 35. Perhaps you will find a favorite hymn phrase or song lyric that you can sing, hum, or just pray the words when you need to “rest your thoughts.” I personally have found that calm readings of scripture or prayers help me to be less anxious and relax back into restful sleep when I am awakened in the middle of the night. Many of us believe that being awakened at night is not just a natural part of our sleep cycle, but perhaps a moment given to us by God to spend a few meditative moments praying about the thoughts that keep us awake. Many nights we may just allow the Holy Spirit to pray for us. I hope that these links (and your favorite combination of relaxing scents, sights, and sounds) will bring you comfort, peace, and focus…and be a reminder that Jesus wants to be our Song in the Night!

Blessings ~ Kristen

Other songs and readings that you might enjoy (can be found on Youtube or most other music apps):

O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen, performed by King’s College Cambridge (2009)

The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre (performed by Voces8) or any of the Eventide collection by Voces8

Sleep In Peace – Guided Christian Meditation by Beatrix von Watzdorf (YouTube)

Abide-Sleep Meditations (YouTube Channel)