AAAAHHHH! How good it feels to lay oneself down after a hard day of productive work and relax, doze off, or turn in early for a good knights sleep! Sleep seems to restore the body, and in some ways, the soul.
So it is within the natural world that surrounds many of us in the rural, suburban and greener areas within our cities. Although we often forget them, the many plants, animals, insects, fish and other organisms that we share this world with, also share our need for rest and sleep.
New Life
These different forms of sleep and rest lead to the springs and summers of new life, reproduction and replenishment of plant and animal communities. “Although sleep resembles death, it brings new life and better health.” Think about it for a moment;” “…often, just prior to a rebirth or life-changing event in our natural world, a sustained period of inactivity or sleep usually occurs. Or in other cases, sleep (or dormancy) provides an organism with the ability to survive a difficult time or hardship.” T his takes many forms and serves many purposes:
The weeks of a caterpillar’s quiet metamorphosis within its cocoon/chrysalis allow it to emerge as a beautiful butterfly or moth.
- The hibernation of many mammals during winter allows them to sleep through the most difficult time of year when they would otherwise starve or freeze.
- The sleep at the end of the day allows human and animal bodies to rebuild stressed muscle and internal organ cells; while also providing needed rest to stressed-out nervous systems.
- The colorful autumn perennial plants – senescence allow their above ground parts to die back; while the root systems survive by becoming dormant during the rigors of winter. They “sleep” until spring.
- The weeks of quiet rest or dormancy under the surface of the soil, water or in the mud of a pond bottom, protect the many fish, frogs, salamanders and reptiles from freezing during the coldest times of year. So, they can emerge once again during the warmer spring.
Survival Tools
The many forms of sleep and rest in nature help some wild creatures and plants survive difficult times (winter or droughts), when little food or water is available. Without the long sleeps of dormancy, most perennial plants cannot survive the harshness of winter; nor can the bear without its “hibernation sleep.” How is it that these wild creatures and plants that live in a “hostile world” are provided such in-born rest survival tools without human involvement? Is this not indicative of a greater presence that cares about all living things?
The Hand of God
As a biologist, it’s easy for me to see the hand of God outside, where I spend much of my time. There is much we can learn from the natural world around us; including the need to make time to rest and deal with our difficulties in a slower-paced manner. We often labor long and hard to serve the God we love. Yet, God does not want us to “burn out” in trying to serve him.
Let Go and Let God
During such stressful times I find myself repeating an old familiar refrain, “Let go and Let God (have control).” If we let Him, He will take care of us. But to do so, we must do like the natural world does. Slow down during these most difficult times; watch and listen to what God is telling me; and make time to rest. I find many answers in Goods natural world around me. The need for rest and sleep is one of them.
