Last night I was finally able to sleep in longer than 1 and 2 hour increments.  Even though I still woke up twice between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am it was the best night of sleep I have had since the surgery to fuse my L4 and L5 vertebrae.  Since my surgery, I now have a much better understanding of how important a good night’s sleep is.  I already knew how important a good night’s sleep is, but now that I have been through the last 3 weeks and experienced waking up every hour or so each night I have a greater appreciation for rest and will not take it for granted again.  Though I am grateful that the pain in my legs is subsiding and that I am now better able to rest at night, I am also grateful for the experience that I have been through.  I know that the next time I speak to someone who is having difficulty with pain or problems that prevent them from sleeping I will better be able to sympathize with them, comfort them and passionately pray for them to have some rest.  It reminds me of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

2 Cor 1:3  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

The Lord has blessed me and comforted me even during the midnight hours when I could not sleep and when my body has ached.  The Lord has ministered to me, assured me of His presence and faithfulness and He has provided me with opportunities to pray for others in need.  I know that He will use this experience to allow me to share His Grace and His Comfort.  I know that He will use this experience to allow me to better connect with someone going through a similar experience.  I am grateful for that opportunity and look forward to be able to be His servant in that capacity.  I look forward to be able to speak of His Grace, His Mercy, His Comfort, His Faithfulness and to pay it forward.  I look forward to lovingly share with others that God is good, and they can rest assured that while they recover God has their back.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com