Glory of God

I had a huge long post praising God and when I hit enter, Blogger informed me they lost it. Hmmm, could the devil be in the details here? ;) Anyway, here is another attempt to get out what I intended...to praise God!
I often wake up each night for various reasons; snoring husband, coyote calls, dogs whining to go outside, achy bones and joints, lots on my mind...you name it. I am really a light sleeper these days and that doesn't mix too well with the loud sleeper next to me each night ;)
But when I do wake up, my thoughts tend to wander to every event of the day and all the things I have to do the next day, week, month, etc. Then I get anxious or annoyed. Then I ask God for help and usually drift off a couple hours later. I don't usually wake up too happy due to lack of sleep or maybe even just the fact that I never let go and fully submitted my anxiety to God.
But once in a while, those bouts of insomnia have a special place in my heart. Those times when I get to really just lay there quietly and talk to God. Last night was a productive night, not in sleep though. I prayed for so many people and things I haven't prayed for in a long time. Not because I don't care but because there are so many people and events right in my own midst, that they tend to hog all my prayer time ;) but God brought many people and things to my heart. But instead of asking God for so much, I really spent a lot of time thanking Him more than asking for His help. He loves when we rely on Him and never tires of us asking for His help but I also wanted to "give thanks in everything" (1Thess 5:18) because I have a lot to be thankful for.
I am grateful for His love, mercy, faithfulness, grace, wisdom, forgiveness, and so much more. But God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son - Jesus, who came willingly, and whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have everlasting life!!! And for that, I am eternally thankful and in awe of Him! So Praise the Lord!
So in those restless, sleepless nights where my mind wanders and takes me to places I'd rather not go, I need to remember my favorite verse "Be STILL (or quiet) and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) In other words, there are times where I need to stop striving and fretting and clamoring over things I have no control over and sit still and know that God is perfectly able to control and handle everything. HE is GOD! Almighty, Omni-present, Omnipotent, All powerful, All knowing, Everlasting, Wonderful, Counselor, Judge, Shepherd, Holy, Righteous, Lord, Most High, Strength, Shield, Redeemer, Rock, Prince of Peace, Deliverer, GOD WITH US.....to name a few. Now if that doesn't bring peace, comfort and joy, nothing will! Amen!
So after 4 hours of sleep, I usually don't wake up so nice. But today, I felt renewed, recharged, relaxed, and just grateful once again to our Mighty God! Just the act of thanking Him for everything good and even unpleasant in my life, I obtained His peace. I have a picture of a beach and sunset above because that is just one place I always see His Glory in a tangible, visible way. But His Glory is everywhere, if you have eyes to see it and ears to hear it. It can be in those small moments at night where you feel His presence when that is the only time He could get your attention from your busy day...through your sleepless nights. So I Praise God for His glory reaching me through my insomnia when I feel guilty that I didn't spend enough time with Him during the day. He still comes through and allows me that time, that much needed time alone with Him! All for His glory.