Sleeping In The Bed I Made

By M. Hakikah Shamsideen

For the past few months, getting a good night’s sleep has been difficult. Most nights, I wake from a deep sleep to use the bathroom. Then, depending on the time, I decide whether to stay awake or return to bed. If it’s after 3 am, I typically stay up. Since I’m already up by 6 am to get my grandchildren to the bus stop, I often use those quiet, predawn hours for reading, prayer, journaling, or occasionally scrolling through social media.

Even still, it’s exhausting—and frustrating—because one thing I could always count on in my life was my ability to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep until morning. I tried various supplements and routines to no avail. Eventually, I realized the problem might be more practical than physical or spiritual: I needed a new bed and mattress.

"Blue Monday" by Annie Lee

I believed I was too old to build. Turns out, I was building something deeper.

I decided to use a recent windfall for something I’d been wanting and needing—a new mattress and bed. After months of careful research (my standard approach for any significant purchase), I set aside a portion for my savings, then made the purchase. I'm usually skittish when it comes to spending money, but this felt like the right decision. I hadn’t realized how much of a toll a bad mattress was taking on my body. For months, I’d been waking up with aches and pains I’d brushed off—until they became impossible to ignore.

When the boxes arrived, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of screws! Still, I was determined to sleep in my new bed that night!

The reviews indicated that assembly would take approximately an hour. It took me five. (Granted, that included breaks, snacks, and a few deep sighs.) But when it was finally done, I stood back, looked at the bed I had literally built with my own hands, and felt proud.

The next morning, I woke up without a single ache—and a mind full of reflections.

You see, part of me hadn’t wanted to assemble that bed myself. I wanted someone else to volunteer to do it. I was willing to pay someone to do it. All my life, I’ve moved furniture, hooked up appliances, built shelves, and done the heavy lifting. For a fleeting moment, I thought, maybe I’m too old for this now. But the other part of me—the determined part—reminded me that I didn’t want to wait, and I wanted it done right. This time, I wanted to do it, not out of willfulness or false pride, but out of a genuine need.

And as they say, if you want it done right…

That day, I learned five valuable life lessons while building that bed—lessons I can now apply to almost anything I set out to do.

1. Hold the Vision

Even when something feels hard or beyond your ability, take your time and trust the process. When I opened the manual and saw all those screws and steps, I panicked. I doubted my ability—and even my desire—to do it. But I focused on the vision of a peaceful night’s sleep and got to work. Every screw became a small step toward rest.

2. If You Stay Ready, You Don’t Have to Get Ready

At first, I followed the instructions step by step, without looking ahead. That meant I couldn’t anticipate what was coming. I thought about how chefs prepare with mise en place—gathering and measuring everything before cooking. Preparation is what keeps you from scrambling halfway through the recipe. The same goes for life: a little planning makes the process smoother.

3. If It Don’t Fit, Don’t Force It

Several times, I became frustrated trying to insert a screw that wouldn’t fit. Eventually, I stood up, took a step back, and viewed it from a different angle. With a deep breath and a new perspective, it went in easily. Sometimes, you need to fall back, step away, and reassess in order to truly see what you are looking at and understand the situation.

4. Stay Present

Believing I understood the process, I overlooked a section of the instructions, resulting in the need to redo both side panels. This nearly led me to give up. It happened because I was hasty and misinterpreted the diagram. The takeaway? Always double-check and remain focused, even when you’re confident. Every step matters between the vision and the final product.

5. Master Your Mind

There were moments when I felt angry and tired—wishing someone else would come and do it for me. But when I finally finished, I was so proud! And not only is this bed well-made, but I anointed and prayed over myself and the bed the entire time I worked on it. There’s a different kind of satisfaction that comes from proving to yourself what you’re still capable of. At sixty-six, it’s easy to think “too old.” But now, I know I can still handle what I have to—and that mindset changes everything.

That night, as I stretched out in my new bed, surrounded by quiet, peace, and the scent of my cinnamon and rose incense, I thought about how often we’re called to “sleep in the bed we made.” Usually, that phrase carries a negative tone—a warning about consequences. But in this season of my life, it feels like an affirmation.

Because this bed, this rest, this peace—I built it.

Sleeping soundly by demaerre

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Weekly Prayer

Dear God,

Now I lay me down to sleep... Thank You for the strength to build what I once thought was beyond me. Teach me to approach each task with patience, wisdom, and gratitude. When the process feels heavy, remind me that growth often hides inside small, faithful steps. May every act of perseverance become a form of worship, every lesson a seed of wisdom, and every completed work a testimony to Your grace. Let the work of my hands bring rest to my body and peace to my soul.

Amen.

This week’s reflection encourages you to appreciate your progress—step by step, detail by detail. You’re not simply assembling a bed; you’re crafting a life where you can find rest.

May you gather wisdom and rest in the work your hands have built this autumn.