Can you go to sleep if you don’t close your eyes?

It’s not a question I think about often. In fact, I have never thought about it before last week.

Last week, we were blessed to have a few days to make a trip to see our children in “way south Florida.” Brad, Emily, Reagan, and Luke are doing fine. We had a great visit.

While we were there, I tried to give Luke special attention. He just turned two and is beginning to put words and sentences together. Like most boys, he runs everywhere. He has a penchant for climbing and, fortunately, the balance and ability to do it well.

Each night he had a hard time going to sleep. Do you think grandparents in the house had anything to do with it?

Each night I went to “pat his back” and help him get to sleep.

There was just one problem. He wouldn’t close his eyes. You can now see why I wondered if you can go to sleep without closing your eyes. I’m sure someone has done a study of this conundrum, but I don’t usually read those kind of articles.

Luke finally went to sleep, but not happily and not easily.

He fought it hard.

I couldn’t help but think about my problem as well as Luke’s. I fight it hard as well. Not sleep–trust.

That’s the way I am with my heavenly Father. In spite of knowing that He knows best and cares for me, I fight against the good He wants to do for me.

Trust is hard. We don’t come here trusting. Can I close my eyes? Can I sleep? Can I rest in God’s kind and loving care?

That’s why God tells us to trust Him. We need to learn to trust Him. He cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:19-34). He’ll care for you as well.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledgement Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).