On recommendation of a blogger friend, I recently read a blog post quoting Martha Peace's opinion of women who claim to be night owls. She describes them as people who "stay up till all hours reading, watching television, or pursuing some sort of interest. The next morning they are too tired to get up and care for their family... these women are not "night people". They are lazy and selfish. Who would not rather stay up late to do whatever they please and sleep late the next day?

I thought this might provoke some interesting conversation for any of you who'd like to chime in on this. But let me preface it by saying that Martha Peace is an excellent resource of a wealth of wisdom for wives. So if you disagree with her on this point, don't assume that she's just a prude. I can't recommend her too highly if you're looking for a godly perspective on your marriage relationship.

Okay, that said, I think that Martha's assessment of "night owls" is fair if they are indeed trading proper care of their families and homes (and even themselves) for nightly self-indulgences such as those she suggested. But my agreement breaks down when this idea is applied carelessly to anyone who considers themselves a night owl. For example, I know several people who are naturally more productive at night, even if they have become so by training rather than by design. And remember those whose jobs require late nights or even sleeping during the day. I can think of many times I've been thankful to have nurses by my child's bedside at 3am...they have homes to manage also (I babysit for a friend, a nurse, who could surely add an amen here!).

And beyond all that, after years of feeling guilty for not enjoying my quiet times early in the morning, I have finally accepted that my most precious times of fellowship with my Savior come in the late hours (burning the midnight oil is, after all, a rather old expression). When I discipline myself to put aside all that remains to be done in my home and spend some time at my Father's feet hours after putting the children to bed, I find Him there waiting just as happily as if I had come to Him in the early hours of morning. I have more to pour out to him, and I feel more desperate for His Word. Then I fall to sleep peacefully, and wake feeling refreshed and securely in His presence. If this supreme fellowship means awaking in the mornings at 7, 8, or even 9 (haha...that's a rare one), then I will happily accept even Martha's judgment of my motives or discipline rather than once again guiltily subjecting myself to ideologies that hamper those times of great refreshing.

Another little side discussion that the other blogger mentioned is that she always has a hard time getting out of bed in the morning, but she does it anyway. Well, here we can agree! More often than not, I am sleep deprived, unfortunately. But I challenge you to find a homeschooling mother with a large family and a part-time job who's not! :)

And as for staying up late for a bit of self-indulgence, of course, I've been guilty. More than I care to admit. Does that signify to me that I should hit the sack earlier as a matter of principle? Not if you ask me. Just means I have to consistently sort out my priorities and apply a little more self-discipline while I'm up in the evening, just as some other moms have to do in the early morning. Believe me, I have spent enough time kicking myself for being a "night owl," as well as doing everything I could imagine to change it. But after all, I finally accepted that this is who I am, and God can use me just the same.