Crickets and Fears in My Messy Life

I thought the cricket was gone.

After 5 long nights, I didn’t hear it at the window.  And the sweet sleep I experienced was just what I needed… until the nightmare came. 

I hate nightmares.  I hate waking up drenched in sweat with my heart beating wildly and my breath rapid.  “It was just a dream,” I told myself.  But even though I knew it was a dream, my thoughts kept drifting to what I would do if it was real life.  And, of course, then, I heard every creak and crack in our home.  My mind began wondering, “Is someone there?  Is someone going to harm us?  What would I do?” 

Although only a few minutes had passed since I had awakened from the nightmare, I knew I had to calm myself down.  I had to get control of my thoughts.  So I spoke, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…”  The powerful name of Jesus.  I prayed for protection.  I redirected my mind.  And my heart beat slowed.  My breaths steadied.  And, my focus turned only to Jesus.  For He is my Protector.  He is Strength and Might.  He is the One who conquers all evil.  He is my Rescuer and Deliverer.  Ahhhhhh… my sweet Jesus who loves and adores me.  My peace. 

It was then that I could settle snug in my bed again in the wee hours of the morning.  I craved sweet sleep.  I could get another hour in but, it wouldn’t come.  Why?  Because my friendly little cricket was still outside my window with his incessant chirping.  I still do not understand how any creature can make nonstop noise and not grow tired of hearing itself, but apparently I’m not to understand the ways of a cricket!

***

Good morning Lord!  It is early and it is good to be with You.  May I hear Your voice today as loudly as I have heard the cricket each night this past week.  May Your voice pierce my ears and direct my paths.  I’m feeling quite silly today.  Is this a blessing of taking a day of rest?  Maybe today I will laugh more…  dance more…  and play more.  Thank you for the nightmare which blessed me with Your peace.  Thank you for the morning cricket (even though I certainly don’t understand the purpose of him).

***

My Child,

I love giving you My peace and rest.  I love being your Provider.  I love being your Comfort.  And I love when you embrace My Power and you claim My Victory.  I have great plans for you today.  Look to me and I will direct your steps.  And though you may not understand each step just as you do not understand the cricket, you can rest in the truth of who I am and how much I love you.

With thoughts and ways higher than yours,

Your Father

I do wonder what you fear.  I wonder what is in your life that you do not understand (like my cricket).  Do they paralyze you at times? 

Maybe it is spiders or snakes.  Maybe it is clowns. 

Maybe it is the fear every time you say goodbye to your children that it will be the last because they could be in a horrible accident.  Or maybe it is that you will never have a child of your own. 

Maybe it is the fear your marriage will never get better.  Or that you will never find a mate. 

Maybe it is the fear your health will never improve.  Or that the treatment to help will be too difficult to endure.

Or maybe it is that you will never be good enough…  pretty enough…  smart enough.

Regardless of your fears or questions, you have them don’t you?  Stop and think about them for a moment.  And now put them in the light of Jesus. 

Jesus will calm every fear we have if we will call on him.  In Matthew 8:23-27, we read about a horrible storm at sea.  The disciples were terrified.  Jesus was sleeping through it.  But as soon as the disciples cried to him for help, He was up.  He literally calmed the crashing waves.  And the disciples were amazed.

What fears do you need to give to Him?

What is it in your life that you do not understand (like my chirping cricket) that you need to release into His care?  He can calm that one too.

Spend time today speaking the sweet name of Jesus and talking with Him and receive the peace He has to offer.

For further study:

Read Matthew 14:22-32 and think about what you learn about fear and not understanding.

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”’