Oh, For a Good Night of Sleep

By Pastor Troy

This morning I woke up to the steady sound of “sawing logs”, which is only slightly better than the screeching of my alarm clock. Yes, the undeniable vibration of respiratory structures, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping can be a test of sanctification. After a little research on the internet, I have found that the irregular airflow is caused by a blockage, due to causes including:

• Throat weakness causing the throat to close during sleep
• Mispositioned jaw, often caused by tension in muscles
• Fat gathering in and around the throat
• Obstruction in the nasal passageway

The guilty party in our family needs some serious attention. This snoring is having a big impact in the overall health and well being of all of us. According to Wikipedia, snoring is known to cause sleep deprivation to both the snorer and those who hear him/her, as well as knock-on effects: daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus and decreased libido.

So in my mind, since I know the cause to all these symptoms, I guess there must be a solution. After much thought and a little medical research I have concluded that if I don’t want to wake up to the sound of sawing logs, I have a few choices:

1. Find a solution to the problem and allow the guilty party to stay
2. Get used to the problem and allow the guilty party to stay
3. Kick the guilty party out of the room

Some of you are aghast that I would even suggest kicking the guilty party out of the room. That is because you don’t know who the guilty party is . . . no, it is not Leigh-Ann or me. The snoring is coming from Pepper! Yes, the little black fur ball of a dog sleeps under our bed and snores so loud at times the pictures shake. It is a regular occurrence for me to wake up out of a peaceful sleep only to hear “Pepper, shut up” followed by the beating of a pillow against the side of the bed. And this is why in my subconscious I know much better than to even try to snore . . . I am not about to get into a pillow fight in the middle of the night.

As a man, it is natural for me to evaluate things and their impact on us . . . especially the bottom line. So this morning was not the first time I have asked myself why we have a dog. Think about it for a minute: dogs eat food which costs money; they drink water which means someone has to keep the water dish full (but even when it’s full it is a pain—ever tripped over the water dish in the middle of the night? I have—not good); dogs find the most unique places in the neighborhood to eliminate their food (just ask a fire hydrant); dogs get sick; dogs get upset when you leave them for a vacation; dogs have to go to the vet; dogs are attracted to mud; dogs make a mess (remember the last time he got into the garbage); dogs need baths; dogs need a treat just to sit down; dogs make us talk weirdly (try listening to someone talk to a dog and pretend there is a person in the room and not a dog: "Come here, poochy poochy").

In case you don’t believe me, according to CNN, in 2005, Americans spent $14 billion on pet food and treats and $36.3 billion on veterinarian care (I couldn’t find a stat for just dogs). In addition, there are 5 million dog bites each year resulting in $400 million in legal fees.
So why do humans put up with all the hassles of owning a dog? It’s because there is the possibility for such a close bond between human and dog. God has placed human relationships in each of our lives and they can certainly be a pain—sometimes even more work than having a dog. This Sunday we will be spending our time on John 7:37-52. I am EXTREMELY excited about all that God has for us in this passage. Without giving it all away, we will see that by grace alone, Jesus has given each of us the choice to have a relationship with Him. This relationship will certainly take more work than having a pet . . . but believe it or not the rewards is even greater. Jesus promises eternal satisfaction . . . even if the dog snores.