Talking with my sleeping wife

August 15, 2023 Brian Oaks

I wrote this during a very difficult season of life. I was a full time pastor and full time student. Our second child was on the way. The Church I worked at was experiencing chaos. Our basement was taking on nearly 1500 gallons of water daily. In order to accomplish my school work I had to stay up extremely late and rise early. Often 2 or 3 am would come and I would close the books from exhaustion.

Talking with my sleeping wife

The house is asleep with one light on.

In the silence of the night I think of you

Once again, the clock turns night to day

As my dreams wonder aimlessly in the yard

Spring has had its way with me

And I am ready to give up the fight

But these mental revolving images of you keep me, lift me, and carry me.

For moments ago this one light seemed to be a prison

Binding me to its late night glow

But a thousand secret glances have brought you seated by my side

With comfort I feel your presence

Pouring encouragement and hope back into my weary mind

All these fragment memories paint a puzzled portrait of you

My Heart Melts

I fall to my knees and sing thanks to our God

For I have been talking with my sleeping wife.

- B.Oaks

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 77