Awake

This word brings to mind a story for me that helps me connect to how important it is to always be awake.  My husband always teases me about the time we drove to visit his brother in New Hampshire.  One the way up there, the day was gloomy and rainy.  He jokes (but unfortunately, it’s true) that during our 10-hour drive I slept for 9 of those hours.  I remember him requesting me to stay awake with him during the long drive, to keep him alert.  As much as I tried, my eyes felt like 10-pound weights and I just could not stay awake.  I felt so guilty, but each time I would try even harder, my eyelids refused to obey.   Now, every time I read the story about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, I joke that I would be among the disciples that could not stay awake with him.  But thinking more deeply, I can suddenly feel Jesus’ disappointment that no one stayed awake with him during that sorrowful time and what He knew laid ahead.    I pray that I would have been a more supportive friend and disciple.  Would I have offered to pray with Him?  Could I have consoled Him by staying awake and just being present or just simply by wrapping my arms around Him?  Just staying awake with a good friend (or husband) when they needed it the most can bring more comfort than we know.  And writing this right now, I understand even more how important it was to Jesus for his followers to be awake, to not be alone.  As I put myself into this scene in the Garden, my heart is filled with love on what Jesus was about to do for me.  By staying awake, would it have helped Jesus to face this event less sorrowfully?  Let us remember this week to keep our eyes open and be awake.  Try to take some time also during your week to put yourself into this scene with Jesus, like I did.  What would you have done when asked to stay awake with Him?  Would your eyelids be like 10-pound weights? What opportunities do we miss to be awake for those around us, that just need us to sit with them, pray and support them through their hour of darkness?  Jesus, help me to be your true disciple that takes the time to listen, to spend time with you and show you the support and love of a friend.  Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice.  Give me the strength to always be aware of your calling to “just stay awake.”

“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’”    Matthew 26:40-41