Count Sheep

Lamentations 3:19-26

While I'm making my morning cup of coffee, my wife asks me, "Are there any actresses who you are hooked on?" I'm instantly confused by the question, a fact she must have seen on my face because she further explained what she meant.

Last night she had trouble falling asleep and began thinking of the different actors she's known throughout the years. She began running through a list of male actors and trying to rank them on looks, wondering if any of those actors would be worthy of her being their mega-fan. She said she kept coming up with a no, and fell asleep before coming up with the image of an actor she would follow. It was her version of counting sheep.

She asked me again if there were any actresses for whom I would be a mega-fan based solely on looks. I though of some of the actresses I consider pretty, even stunning, and came up with no name myself. There were actresses I thought had great talent, and would want to see a movie if they made one, but based solely on looks there wasn't a single name I could come up with.

Sometimes our minds drift. Occasionally our minds drift to places that may seem distant. Yet somehow our thoughts return to what is important to us. In trying to fall asleep by counting good-looking actors, my wife realized that there really is no need to have anything more than what is already in her life, found peace in that, and fell asleep.

This morning's lament feels to me like one of those drifting moments. Today's passage is told in the midst of images about pain, taunts, and oppression. A voice which presents us with physical, emotional, and spiritual pain suddenly gives way to a moment when we are brought into a view of hope. And, to be completely honest, sometimes a moment of hope is all we need to keep moving along our life's path.

A lot of things are happening around us which bring with it the same level of pain we hear of in Lamentations. The passing of a brother, a mother diagnosed with terminal illness, and not being able to meet financial obligations for yet another month all bring with it deep pain and personal doubt. Our minds, hearts, and souls become obsessed with the thoughts of theses things; sometimes to the point where we can no longer function within what has become our normal routines.

But, if we let our minds drift for just a moment, if we can find a quiet place in the world of ever-increasing noise which surrounds us, then, and sometimes only then, can we go to that place where hope lives. It's in that place we will find that the strength of God's hands are still holding on to us, holding us up so that we can keep moving toward God and the love God has for us.

So, the next time you find your mind filled with the ugliness life can bring us, find a place to re-connect with the peace our God has for us. I don't think you have to count sheep, or even actors and actresses, to get there.