Ice Makers, AC Units and Irrigation

The rental house I live in is really nice. We are the first and only renters so far, and everything in the home was new when we moved in. The house talks to us though. It thumps and creeks like any house. Like most people we've grown accustomed to the noises and eventually tune them out.

Have you ever noticed something new and had no idea where it came from, like a rash on your skin, or a recurring headache. Sometimes symptoms are indicators, and they exist to get our attention. They act like little warning lights that require further investigation.

I think probably the most dangerous state to fall into is that of complacency. It often happens when life takes a turn for the mundane. Yet if we can tune into the subtleties around us, there is always something to give our attention to.

I have had many not so restful nights in this house. Not because of worry or stress, and I do carry those from time to time. But because little things that subtly sabotage my sleep are easily unrecognizable.

• The Ice maker in our freezer. Not normally on because it is full of unused ice. But for the superbowl party, someone wanted ice to keep their shrimp ring cool.
• The sprinkler system. Set to the wee hours of the morning for some reason.
• The condenser for our AC/Heat is three feet outside my bedroom window.

These three form a powerful force of sleep disrupting potential. How many of us would first check our diet or assume perhaps we are drinking too much caffeine? Or how many of us would start doing yoga before bed, or get a script from our doctor for sleep meds?

I think we have become overkill obsessed. Why wouldn't we be when the expose programs warn us of the latest "alarming" statistic of one form or another. In reality, most of our issues are caused by small details that result from living life in a blur.

• Turn the icemaker off, or fill it with ice.
• Reset the timers on the sprinklers to a time when you're at work.
• Wear ear plugs to bed because you can't move your bedroom and you can't re-plan the construction of the house in which you are renting.

For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6

Shhh, what's that sound? If you can't hear the voice of the Lord, your life is too loud. Stop, wait and listen. Then lay to rest the little annoyances that are keeping you awake at night, and block out the ones that are beyond your control. He will take care of the rest.