**Lord - let me not be guilty, myself, of trying to minister "relief" to my spirit if the "pressure" is in fact the work of YOUR spirit to drive me to my knees in prayer, and to enable me to effectually receive your word. Many who would see me struggling would desire to minister compassion to me, because outwardly the symptoms are that of a suffering. And indeed, inwardly the weariness can seem to be quickly approaching "unbearable," though I know that you will NEVER give me more than I am able, by the strength and grace of your Spirit, to bear. But I would be more apt to minister relief to myself "too soon" - to seek for comfort before I have let the trial "have its full effect" and bring about IN me the peaceable fruit of righteousness and perseverance. Instead, Lord, teach me to seek your revelation - mindful of the fact that you yourself minister TO me during the season when your hand is upon me. Though you may be holding me or pushing me down, it is a loving instruction and discipline. And if I perceive that it is anything BUT this, let me run to you quickly that you might deliver me from any other accuser. So, Lord, whether it is a "pressure" because your hand is upon me, or whether it is an "oppression" because the enemy is prowling about me as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, let my first response always be to cry out to you - because only you will be able to bring about either my deliverance and therefore comfort, or my sanctification and therefore joy. Have mercy on me, my Father. Let me not neglect to receive your word, and to abide in your presence!**

http://grace2grow.blogspot.com/2009/02/oppression-of-enemy-or-conviction-of.html

"We cannot stay asleep"

~L. Page

Five more minutes, mama
we cried as you would shake us
sweet darkness and soft slumber
our dreams the stuff of childhood wonder

No desire of morning
could surpass the caress
of our eyes closed and blankets
pulled up around our necks

Five more minutes, mama
but you would yank the curtains
so bursting through the windows
sunlight raced in and through eyes closed

We could not stay asleep
for we would always wake so easily
to the light

Some years later, mama
I was racing in and through a life,
with my eyes closed and dreaming
full of darkness and selfish scheming

And it was not enough for me
to just be shaken by some hand
instead the curtains were yanked back
and sunlight raced in through the black

By the grace of God, mama
He found me when I was lost
I would have sold my soul asunder
for the stuff of sinful wonder

But I could not stay asleep
for I was always waked so easily
by the light

Five more minutes, mama
I know the day is coming when
my own two girls will moan and squirm
until then, I'll let them learn

I will be forever grateful, mama
that you showed us morning Glory
that to be in the Light is sweeter than
any promise of slumberland

You'd be proud of papa
for he's taught my girls the song
like a parable of God's grace
"Let the sun shine in" and wake,

And now we cannot stay asleep.