Keeping Watch

I went to bed early last night. (Well, early for me anyway. My lights were out by 10:30 - that's pretty good for me.)

I don't really expect to sleep through the night anymore. I can't remember the last time I made it even three hours without waking. Last night was no exception.

And yet, last night was somehow different.

I woke once an hour, almost exactly on the half-hour mark, seven times in total through the night. Just long enough to glance at the clock, register the time, mumble a half-concious prayer, and groan as I rolled back over and into sleep.

An odd, half-concious keeping watch through the hours of the night. Waiting and praying. Mumbling and groaning, and sometimes resting.

It seemed oddly fitting, somehow, with this watchful, unsettled season of life. Oddly fitting with the advent scripture I read last night.

And so, as the day goes on, I still find myself watching and waiting and praying. Mumbling, groaning, and sometimes resting.