Staying Awake in the Company of Christ

It is amazing how one’s perspective on life and faith can change over the years. If there is one thing I have learned as a parent, it is this: I do not know as much as I thought I did, I cannot do half (or more of) the things I thought I could, and I continue to thrive, not by sheer happenstance, but by the mercy and grace of God. That actually sums up my ongoing journey as a child of God.

Perspective can also turn on a dime because of a very timely question or circumstance – or two little boys who had no clue what they said helped their mother to contemplate some very profound truths about God, my faith, and why our spiritual childhood is a precious gift, in it and of itself.

From the Mouths of Babes

I have found that God speaks to us in so many different ways, often making use of what or who is on hand, to get us thinking and asking ourselves soul-searching questions. We just have to pay attention. Such was the case early one morning as my two young sons and I were crowded around the front door, in a tiny landing made for one, car keys in my hand and about nine different things frantically taking up mental real estate.

As I struggled to pull open the door wide enough for me to pass through, my six-year-old son cheerfully called out, “I’ll keep you company, Mom!” I smiled to myself and thought how funny that was as he marched right behind me. Close at our heels was my eight-year-old son, who quietly asked his younger brother, “But isn’t it the other way around?”

There it was: two perspectives of what seemed to be just one scenario. That morning, my sons’ exchange was enough to remind me of Who and what I tend to miss in my mad rush to get from point A to point B at the speed of lickety-split. In trying to cram the numerous things which have to be done by “insert-insane-time-expectation”, to Whom have I been more absent than present?

Sleeping on the Job

“And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38)

It must have been a long and tiring day for everyone that particular night. Perhaps they had all been busy, excited, discussing…and then exhausted. “Could you not watch one hour?” Jesus asked Peter. In succeeding verses, we read about how Jesus does this again and again – three times Jesus came to find them asleep. Their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak.

It is so very easy to identify with these sleepy disciples of Jesus. After all, life is busy and can be difficult and tiring. There are too many things one has to take care of: family and home, work, bills to pay, social obligations, trying to get ahead in life are just exhausting at times. Many times. All the time. Does Jesus not understand how hard life can be? How could anyone stay up when one has to rest?

Attention: Bearers of Heavy Loads

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Have you ever received such a generous offer of help? Jesus says His burden is light. I dare not say it out loud, but it begs to be asked: Lord, have you seen the world lately? Do you know what is going on? Of course, He knows: what was, what is and what is to come. Yet – this offer of help is not made half-heartedly. It was and continues to be made at every single moment of time and it comes from His Sacred Heart.

Jesus knows the troubles of this life – this world we live in is full of it. He knows what each of us needs. It is not the many things which fill our closets, houses, and garages to overflowing and overcrowding. It is not the money which can all be spent, the thrills which are over in the blink of an eye, or the fame which is worth more trouble than anything else. He knows that our souls need the sort of rest which is deep and enervating. He is the Rest we crave, even when we do not realize it. He is the Help we need, even when we think we can do everything ourselves. We are never given more than we can bear – always with His divine help. The problems begin when we forget that second part.

Will You Not Stay with Me?

It was Saint Paul who wrote, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, RSVCE) and what tremendously wonderful and fantastic things he did do, all for the sake and in the name of Jesus. It is not only good to remember – it is necessary. For when we begin to believe that we are self-sufficient, we become too full of ourselves, leaving no room for God in our hearts, minds, and life.

At that point, prayer becomes a burden and a bother, especially when one believes that one has too many more important things to take care of. It is easy to make excuses for ourselves. I know this too well because I have found myself doing it more times than I realize. Several times in a day, Jesus asks me, lovingly, expectantly, meaningfully: “Will you not stay with Me a while? Spend some time with me. Talk to me. I want to be with you.” It is natural to want to spend time with someone we love.

Too many times, though, my responses to His invitation are one excuse after another, loaded with activity and busy-ness and short on love. “Ummm, not quite now….maybe later…after I cook. No, after I clean. Hmm…I’m hungry right now so I will just eat and then….Wait – let me just answer this one email…oh, actually, after I get home from errands… but I’m tired. Maybe in an hour? Or when I pop these cookies in the oven? Or after this movie….ugh. I’m actually sleepy. I will do it tomorrow.”

Yet, He does not abandon me. In fact, in so many unexpected ways, He comes back to ask, “Are you still sleeping?” Are you still too busy? Too tired? Too hungry? Too immersed in the self-proclaimed importance of what keeps you running around all day? He comes to rouse me, not because He needs me – but because He knows I need Him.

Will You Not Let Me Stay with You?

To see the world with a fresh perspective – re-framed in a way we did not realize was there all along – is wonderfully and humbly startling. I always thought when I prayed, that I was making time for Jesus and keeping Him company. Poor Jesus – I have to make time for Him. He needs my sparkling personality, remarkable wit, fascinating stories, and wonderful company! Ha!

It took that simple exchange between my two sons to set me straight. Yes, I am keeping Jesus company when I make time for Him. However, it is perhaps far more accurate to say that it is He Who is keeping me company and making time for me. He – who is “gentle and lowly in heart” – waits patiently for me, and gives me His full attention when I can be bothered to remember that He is my God and I need Him like I need air to breathe. Realizing that surprised me and blew me away. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, giddy with unbelievable joy and excitement! My Lord wants to be with me!

Staying Awake

When my youngest children are told to go to bed at night, they cannot seem to understand it means they should go to sleep. They dilly and dally, asking for milk or water, waiting slyly around the corner, whispering to each other, and then scampering away so as not to get caught. They stay in bed and talk as if they had not seen each other for ages, telling stories, recounting past adventures, giggling, laughing out loud, trying not to be heard as they talk as if they were going deaf. They simply do not go to sleep easily and keep each other company in their mischievous attempts to stay away longer. It is their desire to stay awake a bit longer which fuels their efforts and attempts not to fall asleep.

Throughout our lives, we will find ourselves in the garden of Gethsemane, being asked by our Lord,

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation… the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Mark 14:38; 41)

Perhaps, we who are often tired and sleepy, spiritually, can learn a thing or two from the enthusiasm of those of whom Jesus had said,

“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

To stay awake and be alert, we must bolster and strengthen our spirits, asking our Father God with great childlike trust and true joy, provide us with the faith, hope, and love which we lack. Then, perhaps, we may be better able to stay in the company of Jesus as He makes time to be with us.