Lightning McQueen “matchbox” car. Legos made into a train. 

These are just a couple of the toys that our son, Rocco, falls asleep holding in his hands at night. Almost every evening, he makes SURE that he is holding tightly onto something that is important to him as he goes to sleep. And also he makes SURE that he immediately has them close by as he starts the first moments of his day. He will literally wake up and ask to find them if during the night they get lost in the sheets. I saw this the other day and thought … there is a lesson in this!

Here is what the “pleasing word of God” says:

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 37:37)

This scripture is a simple lesson on how to bookend your night’s rest! It states to “lie down unto the Lord” as we go to bed, and when we wake that we “let our hearts be full of thanks.” These two activities are given with a promise — that we would be lifted up at the last day, but I would also say that if we “do these things” we will be lifted up THROUGH our days! 

In life, there are many things that we fret and worry about. At times, if we are caught in a negative rut, we hold onto it tightly — much like my son’s toys — and it’s the last thing we think of as we close our eyes and the first thing that greets us in the morning. Have you ever been in this ugly cycle? I know (sadly) I have. 

We have a choice to make. We have to oftentimes decide what we will dwell on. The psalmist said that he “hid” God’s Word in his heart, and even THAT was met with a positive response! It made his actions reflect The Word! The Apostle Paul exhorted The Church in Philippi (Phil 4:8) to “think on these things,” and in that verse, he goes on to list POSITIVE THINGS. 

So, if this is the first thing you are reading before you start your day, let’s decide to “hold fast that which is good” and do the same as we go to bed tonight — and repeat daily (and even nightly). 

If we are going to act like Jesus, then it all starts by simply thinking like Him! A great place to start is on those bookends to our nightly rest, much like the actions of my son. I remember the wise words of Brother Bob Buffington, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It will keep you busy, but it won’t get you anywhere!” 

So, good morning! Let’s let our hearts be full of thanks!

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.