Meet Me Halfway

Melissa Presser reflects on how one restless night became an opportunity to meet God halfway.

It was midnight and I couldn’t sleep. I am tossing and turning and sweating profusely. I crashed for two hours of reckless sleep, and then woke up to the egregious reality that even sleep wouldn’t help my problem. So instead of pretending, I decided to embrace the anxiety and begin my “morning” routine in the middle of the night.

I poured the coffee, opened my Bible, and started my normal 5 a.m. routine. Except it wasn’t 5 a.m. and nothing was really normal. I couldn’t help but question why God would want me up at this late hour, knowing I had to prepare for work and kids the next day. Nevertheless, I was too tired to question God, which was exactly where He wanted me.

One hour of Bible study turned into two, which turned into conversation, another coffee and a good cry with God. I realized the time was unrestricted, I had all night! So, I kept going, kept asking my questions, kept seeking and crying out to God. I didn’t get any answers from God, but what I did give was a lot of praise. I love you Lord despite, I love you Lord even though, I love you Lord beneath and below. And I was below …

And a funny thing happened. I felt a vibrant, new, and unexpected energy course through my body, and I decided to continue my “morning” routine and begin my usual workout.

I am used to riding with my team of lawyer moms a 6 a.m. Who would I ride with? Would I be alone? God nudged me, and I got on my gear. I started pedaling and questioning everything -- until I was swarmed by a billion unexpected friends from England, Ireland, and even Scotland. It was 2:30 a.m. my time, but it was 7:30 a.m. London time. For them, the morning light had already come. And there, across the pond, was a whole group of riders lifting me up and encouraging me in the midst of my pain, in the midst of my middle-of-the-night madness.

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The thrill of riding in darkness was exhilarating. The world was asleep but God was awake. I looked out the front window somewhere in the middle of that long night ride and heard God whisper, “See, I am with you. Wherever you are, there I am.”

I felt like I was flying, jumping, even leaping into the arms of my heavenly Father. I saw a picture in my mind of me pedaling my bike to meet my Father halfway, like the prodigal son. I was tired, emotionally spent, and panting when I realized that I didn’t have to go through this alone. And halfway through that ride, God met me to carry me the rest of the way home.

Sometimes God allows the world around us to fall apart so that we can fall back together. Comfortable was never something that Jesus preached, in fact, it’s just the opposite. What started for me as a restless night’s sleep full of anxiety turned into a godly breakthrough. And I finished my “morning” routine at the exact moment that I usually start it: 4:30 a.m.

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I will remember every word God whispered to me and every person He sent to encourage me in the middle of the night. #catholicmom

As I write this to you all, I want you to know that what I am going through did not go away, at least not yet. But I know it will, because there may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. And to tell you the truth, I don’t know if I’m ready for this chapter to end. I am learning more now than I ever have, and I realize that God still has lessons to teach me and more work for me to do.

I know soon I will be in a different place in my life, and I will be able to look back on my magical ride with God with awe and tears. Because I will remember every word that He whispered to me and every person He sent to encourage me in the middle of the night. I will look back and remember how He met me halfway.

And I hope the same for you. That the whispers of God become your opportunities, that the pain in your tears become God’s hugs. And that in the midst of your suffering, you choose praise over pride, the long way home, knowing He will be at the halfway mark.