The season of sunset as it draws a veil over the day,
befits that repose of the soul when earthborn cares
yield to the joys of heavenly communion.
The glory of the setting sun excites our wonder,
and the solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe.
If the business of this day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader,
if you can spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide,
but if not, the Lord is in the town too, and will meet with you
in your chamber or in the crowded street.
Let your heart go forth to meet Him.
~Charles Spurgeon from Morning and Evening Devotionals
During my forty years in medical practice, I saw many patients who struggled to sleep at night. Their minds raced, they couldn’t stop worrying, their bodies were tight with tension.
I would have preferred to prescribe walking an hour with God at sunset but that was not permissible at a public institution owned by the government.
Instead, I prescribed sleep hygiene habit, over the counter herbals, prescription medications or talk therapy, wrote documentation for emotional support animals, or suggested yoga or “meditation” or even a labyrinth walk.
I find what is most effective in my own life is allowing my heart to go forth and meet God’s invitation to communion with Him.
Spurgeon, in his own anxiety and depression, knew the healing power of a walk with God at sunset or a meal together in His memory. Even when we are hungry, thirsty, exhausted with worry — by throwing the cares of our heart out to Him, He will catch and hold them tight, raising us up alongside Him on the last day.
I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me shall not hunger;
he who believes in me shall not thirst.
No one can come to me
unless the Father draw him.
And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
The bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world,
and he who eats of this bread,
he shall live for ever,
he shall live for ever.
And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
Unless you eat
of the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink of his blood,
and drink of his blood,
you shall not have life within you.
And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
I am the resurrection,
I am the life.
He who believes in me
even if he die,
he shall live for ever.
And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
Yes, Lord, I believe
that you are the Christ,
the Son of God,
who has come
into the world.
And I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
Sr. Suzanne Toolan
Barnstorming 