The British series “Call the Midwife” tells stories of a group of midwives–some Anglican nuns and some district nurses–working in a poor section of London in the 1950s and 60s. In one episode Nurse Noakes is in turmoil because her mother is dying. Elderly Sister Monica Joan, who suffers from bouts of dementia, comforts her, inviting her to join the nuns at Compline.

Nurse Noakes: I’m afraid I can’t even think of what to think just now.

Sister Monica Joan: A conundrum that has ailed me much. But in chapel, we need not choose our thoughts. The words are aligned, like a rope for us to cling to.

Compline, the last prayer service of the day, is unchanging. It has the same hymn, the same psalms, the same lesson never varying by day or season. This changeless pattern  results in the words being aligned “like a rope for us to cling to.” Sometimes we need that lifeline.

Daytime is filled with activities, the mind going a hundred different ways at once. As the time for sleep approaches, it’s necessary for the mind to be quieted. Some kind of devotion can be helpful especially if it’s a familiar one that can arise from the memory. It’s comforting to me to sing the compline hymn that’s been around for about 1500 years:

Before the ending of the day
Creator of the world we pray,
Your grace and peace to us allow
and be our guard and keeper now.                        

The Lord almighty grant you a quiet night and peace at the last.

Read Psalm 4:8 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne