If You Can ...

By Larry Pasley

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment

If you can ignore a friend’s limited education and never correct him,

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

..Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

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    There are other ways to be at peace and sleep well.

    Dependence on God brings peace and sleep. Psalm 4:8  I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

    Sound wisdom and discretion will bring sweet sleep. Proverbs 3:21-24  My son, let them not depart from your eyes-- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; 22  So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. 23  Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. 24  When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

    Hard work brings sweet sleep. Ecclesiastes 5:12  The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.

    Everything goes better with God.

    Even when things go wrong, it all works out with God. Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

    May we always look to God for help and keep our lives right with Him so we can be at peace and have sweet sleep.

- Larry Pasley serves as a minister with the Jackson Street Church of Christ in Alexandria, LA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://www.JacksonStAlex.com