Worries carried away

A full day of work, non-stop patients, a co-worker who seems to criticize every move, how little time to study, preparing to move - worries, worries and more worries. Laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, scenarios of the day flashing across my eyelids, echoes of mean tones of voices bouncing inside my head, fears of changes ahead flooding my heart, every minute I lay awake; a minute lost of sleep and renewal - where is the peace I need to fall asleep?

"Come, my child." A voice barely heard over the scream of my thoughts. "Come, my child." The voice grows louder. "Where are You, God? Where is Your peace?" Silence. My mind tries to focus on better things but the worries continue, interrupting my every pleasant thought. "Come, my child." I hear it loud and clear.

The darkness of my closed eyes begins to brighten. I enter a doorway. Far ahead is God sitting on His throne. He is beckoning me to come. I proceed ahead, dragging my load of worries, which still tempt me to flee. "Come, my child. What are you afraid of?" "Can I trust You, God?" He nods His head. I slowly approach His throne and fall to my knees, holding tightly to my load of worries. "Give them to Me," He says. "Let Me hold them for tonight." I look hesitantly at my load of worries. I feel a reluctance to give them up. "Can I really, really trust You with them, God?" "Of course, my child. Give them to Me." He reaches out His hand.

I heft the load into His hands. "Okay, God. But just for tonight. I'll take them back tomorrow after I have had my sleep." God sighs patiently. "No, my child. Give them completely to Me." I cry out, "Are you sure God, that I can trust You?" All of a sudden I don't see my load anymore. "Yes, my child. Come here to Me."

I lay back, enfolded in His arms, His love flowing all over me. Ah, what peace..... sleep at last!