Weeping and Insomnia

Weeping and Insomnia
Psalm 126-127

Like anybody else, when I am worried, anxious, or preoccupied, I can’t sleep. Sometimes I don’t even know what it is that is preoccupying me. While I found sleep problematic for a while after my first wife died, in general I have this difficulty much less than I did when I was younger. In particular I remember being unable to sleep when I was first ordained and involved in parish ministry, I guess because I was anxious about that involvement. I must have told my rector, because I recall his quoting Psalm 127 to me: “He gives sleep to his beloved.” I guess he meant it as a promise for me to lay hold of, but it came across as a reminder that made me feel more guilty. Not only was I unable to sleep; I was at fault for not claiming God’s promises...