Abide with me: fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, Oh abide with me.

Swift to it’s close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim, it’s glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
Oh Thou who changest not, abide with me.

My plan of waking up early this month has not gone very well.  Even though Aaron and I both agreed this was something we would work on together, it’s been basically one big flop. It’s humbling to realize how helpless we truly are. This week, with the spring ahead time change looming in the near future, we’re trying to get back to our roots and have a bed-time. This new goal is a bedtime with a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve computers or heavy activity or distraction. And like the days of yore where we got tucked in and had “reading time” before lights out, we’re trying to tuck ourselves in for a little quiet time to wrap up the day. Just some collection of things like a tall glass of water or a mug of peppermint tea, my journal, a hymnal, a Bible, a book, a card to send to a friend. I need this intimate little compline to finish the day with rest, balance, reflection, gratefulness, peace and reverence to  start afresh with a clean and willing heart.

I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through clouds and sunshine, oh abide with me.

Words by Henry Lyte. Hymntune “Eventide” by William Monk.