There’s an old saying, “God works the night shift.” This maxim made me wonder about all those people among us who work the night shift too. Do we know who they are? Do we appreciate what they do for us? Do we ever thank them or pray for them? Here are a few thoughts about night shift workers and a short prayer for them.
It is estimated that 7.4% of the work force in this country work the night shift. This shift is sometimes called the third shift (often starting at 11:00 PM) or the graveyard shift. It is common in areas such as medical care, manufacturing, transportation, security, military, maintenance, and cleaning and food services. I would also incude all caregivers who are up regularly at night tending to someone else’s needs. In the business world, there are some benefits to working the night shift: increased pay, quieter work environment, and sometimes enhanced flexibility with your schedule. What’s more, you avoid rush hour traffic when you work nights!
But there are some negative consequences to working the night shift, namely, the disruption of the body’s natural circadian rhythms and the greater risk of chronic illness. There can also be negative social and spiritual consequences. Working nights can lead to a sense of isolation from others. And it may be harder getting to Church or finding time to pray. In Las Vegas, 30% of the work force does not work conventional hours. This has caused at least one church to spring up called “The Night Shift Church.”
I would include another group of individuals “who work the night shift”: those who are tormented by pain, worries, fears, or violence that prevent them from enjoying a good night’s sleep. Scripture offers us wisdom in this regard by saying that the wise person trusts in God. If you are wise and trust in God, says the book of Proverbs, Then “when you lie down, you need not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet” (Pr. 3:24). Sleep, however, is pretty impossible if bombs are exploding around you at night. But if we toss and turn at night due to useless worries, we can recall Jesus’ words: “Fear not, little flock.” Or his first words to his disciples after the Resurrection: “Peace be with you… My peace I give to you.” ( I realize this is often easier said than done. And sometimes we may need help if we suffer from chronic sleeplessness.)
For some individuals, working the night shift can be a blessing. Some find a special camaraderie with those who work alongside them. Others like the greater quiet this shift sometimes affords them. Here’s what one nurse said about working the night shift for five years. “It is a privilege to be on guard at night. Others trust you with their loved ones while the rest of the world sleeps. There’s peace at night that comes when the rest of the world stops, but you know that God is still there Sovereign in the darkness.”
Prayer for those who work the night shift
Beloved God, we pray for all those people who work the night shift: doctors, nurses, rescue squads, police, military personnel, maintenance and cleaning staffs, and all others who work through the night in service of others. Be with them as they work. Keep them alert and safe. Give them strength to persevere through fatigue. Instill in them a deep sense of your presence in the darkness. Bring them home safely when their shifts end. Help us to appreciate the sacrifices they often make for us. And inspire us to find ways to show our appreciation for all they do for our local community, our country, our world.
We pray also for all those who find it difficult to sleep at night–those in pain or are tormented by fears and worries. Give them the grace to realize that you are the God who works the night shift, so that they can have a good night’s sleep to gain strength for tomorrow.
We ask for these gifts from you, Our Beloved God of both day and night. Amen
For reflection:
Have you ever had to work the night shift? If so, what was that experience like for you?
Have you ever had to rely on someone who was working the night shift? What was that experience like for you?
Did anything stand out for you in this reflection? Or would you like to add something to this reflection?
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PS: Announcing: This year I’m celebrating my 60th anniversary as a Sister of Notre Dame. The actual date of my first vows was January 2, 1965. I was 20 years. To give me some extra time to celebrate with family and friends, I’m giving myself a little break. Next Monday, June 23, I will NOT post a new reflection. If you want, you can always go to the search box on the upper right side of this page, type in a topic, and see if I’ve written any reflections on it. Or type in any Monday date–as long as it’s February 2012 or later, and a reflection should come up. You have about 700 reflections to choose from! I’ll post my next new reflection on June 30th!
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I entitled today’s blog “God Works the Night Shift.” That’s another way of saying that God is with us–always. Here’s a song by the Afters entitled “God’s With Us.” I hope if nourshes your prayer.
I welcome your comments below. We love hearing from you1
49 Responses
Sister Melanie,
I decided to check my email before I turned in for the night. I’m glad I did. We don’t think enough about those who serve us, guard and protect us while we sleep [if we can sleep].
The song will play in my head as I fall asleep tonight. Thank you so much!
Thank you, Sister Melannie, for this beautiful reminder that God works the night shift. I recall being told a similar thought that it was OK to give all your concerns and worries to God and then go to sleep because God will be up all night taking care of things. Young mothers and actually all mothers work the night shift at various times of their lives tending to newborns, ill children, or just staying up late waiting for children to arrive home safely. It is a blessing to know that God has everything under control especially during the night shift.
I also want to say congratulations on your 60th anniversary! Prayers for a lovely time with your family and friends! Thank you for all you do, Sr. Melannie. May our good and gracious God keep you safe and well and continue to bless you abundantly!
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
At my age, sleep has become an elusive guest. So elusive that I haven’t slept eight hours in row since 2010. How do I know this? I came across a 2010 journal entry gushing about this “miracle”! Nowadays, if I sleep six hours in a row, I consider THAT a miracle. I try to take a nap during the afternoon — about twenty minutes. While watching T.V. at night, I often nod off, missing half the show, then having to ask my wife what I missed, only to find out that she had fallen victim to the “nods” as well! Shakespeare writes, “sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care.” A prayer to all those who cannot sleep, whose sleeve is firmly buttoned at the wrist.
Congratulations on sixty years being a sister! No doubt during those years you too have worked God’s “nightshift.”
Good Morning Sister Melannie,
First off congratulations on celebrating your anniversary. You certainly deserve some time off. Love your Monday morning Sunflower Seeds. Always a pleasant read.
I can well relate to working the “graveyard shift” as a nurse. I hated the fact that everybody was going to bed/sleeping as I was having to go off to work. BUT, once there, yes, the camaraderie was there between us staff members. Most patients slept, but there were others for which that was not true. Pain from having had surgery that day, unattainable sleep from others due to worrying, now and then a “code blue” (medical crisis). A new admittance. We were the TEAM. In the still of the night, yes, God was all around us. We just couldn’t see him.
In another instance (sorry for making this post lengthy) I suffered a loss of a pet, as I was also going through an extremely lonely time in my life. She was my pal, best buddy, She became ill and I had to put her to sleep. I felt as though I had nowhere to turn for consolation. I started to pray to our Blessed Mother who led me to put my trust in God, which I did. Eventually, things started to ease in my life. I got a new dog, who was the answer. She was the most delightful little creature. This experience taught me to always seek out God for guidance. It is remarkable what a difference that can make in one’s life.
This one brought to mind a conversation my granddaughter and her friend had with her Dad, a teacher. He mentioned one student who came to class and slept! My granddaughter’s friend told him ‘that may be the only place she feels safe enough to sleep.”
I was like that because my Mother, who has since been diagnosed as schizophrenic, was unpredictable and I did not feel safe enough to sleep. I am sure not all students who sleep at school, have a reason like that.
I personally am not comfortable with nurses, Doctors etc who now work 12 hour shifts. One nurse told me after 8 hours she begins to feel brain dead. I think that they are saving
money paying for two 12 hour shifts instead of three 8 hour shifts! My opinion!
PS. I met you in Arlington, VA back in the mid 70’s at a CCD Conference. I don’t remember our conversation. I have read many articles you wrote over the years
I have been sleeping less soundly lately because a friend is in Hospice and will be passing shortly. I try to pray for her during the nightshift.
Congratulations on 60 years of being a sister! May God continue to bless you.
Congratulations Sister Melanie on your 60th anniversary! What a blessing you have been to so many people!
Dear Melannie, I so appreciate your shared wisdom. I have not slept well for years. I never thought of your insightful words. I will begin tonight to pray for all of us who did not sleep well and thank God for the nights we will, and hopefully those increase with the blessing of God, before I lay my head on the pillow.
Thank you, Sister Marilyn, Sabatino who also celebrated her 60 years of us how I’ve appreciated you all these years
Congratulations Sister Melanie. You have meaningfully impacted so many lives in those 60 years including mine, a faithful reader of your blog. Thank you!
Congratulations on your 60th Anniversary!
My first job, right after graduating high school, was 3rd shift, as nurse’s aide in a nursing home. Lots of funny, strange and heartwarming things happen during those hours. Including the lady, fully dressed, wearing a beautiful hat, white gloves, suitcase in hand, managed to get herself out the back door and headed off. Fortunately we were only steps behind her to guide her back, but she was a sight to behold!
My mother raised 6 children all the while working the night shift at the IRS. To this day I don’t understand how she did it! I’m sure God was watching over her each night because one night she fell asleep driving home and had an accident, but came out unscathed! May God bless all those who labor, especially those in the helping professions who work the night shift.
And congratulations Sister, on your 60th anniversary! My aunt was a Benedictine nun in Kentucky, and passed away recently after having devoted 74 years to the Lord!
God is good!!
My nephew is a guard in a correctional institution. Understaffing means he regularly works 16 hour shifts, always through the night. I pray for his health and safety driving home.
Happy anniversary and may God continue to bless you with many great years ahead. You have been such a blessing in my life and I have enjoyed your writings and lovely presentations.
Congratulations, Sister, on your sixty year anniversary! I love the topics you choose. When I look at the title, I am always excited to see where you take us and I am never disappointed. Enjoy your time with your family and friends. It is well deserved.
The darkness, symbolically and literally, of the night shift is usually a calm time for me at this time of life, but it can still be a cold, scary, and lonely time, too. My husband was a policeman and worked years of alternating day and night shifts. What is interesting about that time is that I slept well most of the time because I knew he was working to keep people safe. I worried more during the day shifts. Sort of weird reversal there.
Thank you for your blog and other places I get to read your thoughts.
Aren’t we all blessed because you are a sister for 60 years and do the wonderful thing you do. Thank you
Wishing you lots of Congratulations on your Diamond Jubilee Year. It is so good to celebrate with family and friends. Enjoy every minute, and I am sure you will.
Best wishes and thanks so very much for sharing your thoughts and words in this blog. I look forward to it every Monday.
Many blessings Melannie and celebrate the giftedness you have received in your Sixty Years of Service within and beyond your Congregation.
Much peace and joy. Marty
Congratulations on 60 years. God certainly knew what a wonderful life you would give to him.
Night shift makes me think of nursing my youngest child in the wee hours. With her as our third child it was a glorious time I could indulge all my time with just her. Little did I know God would gift us with a daughter ever dedicated to remaining a child all her life. With continual growing physical needs, night shift is a regular habit. God has blessed our family and loved ones with her for 53 years now.
Having always loved children, I am truly blessed with a loving husband, two sons, our daughter and grandchildren. Our church community plays a huge role in our lives where she is loved by all.
Thank you for your insightful and inspiring posts!! I look forward to them every Monday. I’ve saved and shared so many.
Congratulations on 60 years as a religious sister. I hope you have many wonderful celebrations to mark this milestone. God bless you and all you do.
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary. You have blessed the lives of many. Thanking God with you and for you. Enjoy the time with your family. God’s blessings be yours.
Congratulations on your 60th wedding anniversary with the Lord! We are all blessed because you said yes to His calling!
Thank you for all the blogs and reflections you write every Monday to remind us of God’s love and mercy!!
Enjoy your celebration with family and friends!!
God bless us all !!!
Congratulations , Sister Melanie. You have been a blessing to many of us and we are grateful for sharing your talents. Yes, I will pray for all who work the “night shift.”
It was a joy and privilege to celebrate your anniversary yesterday. So happy I could join you with the SND community and more family & friends. You are such a gift. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. I will be more conscious to remember to pray for all who serve through the night shift. I for one struggle when I have restless, sleep deprived nights and am enormously grateful when I get 5-6 hours straight. God bless those who work through the night to serve others.
Enjoy your “me time” with family and friends.
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary. May God shower you with many blessings throughout the year. Enjoy your week off and hopefully you can relax and do something enjoyable. Enjoyed your article today about night shift workers. It must be difficult to have your “waking hours ” during the darkest times of the day. I will definitely be added those who work the night shift to my prayer list. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hello Melannie and all,
Yes, congratulations on your 60 year commitment to vowed religious life….the decisions we make at 20 don’t always end up being lifetime commitments,,,,may you continue to be showered with God’s blessings.
My “night shift” story comes from the opposite side….my first baby sent me to the hospital at 1:00AM on a Sunday morning. In the near silence of the small hospital, I felt very well cared for by the nurses and doctors whose voices were softer and gentler. I’ve always had the sense that it is God and me up alone in those early hours. Even if I’d been hospitalized for a few days there was always a sense of gentleness about those tending me….I think it is a special time…..
Thanks to all who have contributed to that peaceful atmosphere,
Mary
My words repeat those of others but they are true-you are a blessing to so many. Thank you, Sister Melanie, for all the time & work that accompanies sharing your eloquent gift of words.
I appreciate your uplifting faith & inspirational writing. ( you could chuckle to see all the highlighting & page flags I have in your books) And Sunflower Seeds (or re-read postings) offers a lovely start of the week.
Happy 60th Anniversary!
Abundant Blessings on your 60 years of faithfulness. God’s faithfulness to you and yours to God.
May He continue to inspire you as you in turn inspire others.
Remember, Celebrate, Praise!
Congratulations on your jubilee. What a blessing we have with all of the religious who have committed their lives to service. I had Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet and Sisters of the Presentation of Mary throughout my school years through college. We often fail to recognize the impact they had on our lives – until we grow up and look back. Thank you for your commitment. May blessings follow you always.
I appreciated the meditation for today – I know several people who are in their last days who are “in their night shift” – I pray that they will recognize the opportunity to offer their sufferings for good. Thank you for the great reminder of all those who go to work at night so we may have a better world.
Blessings on your 60th. Thankful for all your wonderful writings.
Congratulations, Sister, on your 60th anniversary! You are a gift to all who know you.
As an RN, I worked night shift in ICU for many years and loved it. It could be as busy as days. I’m still a night owl today and not an early riser (when i can be). It worked very well for my family, too. Our night shift crew was pretty much the same people all the time, preferring this shift of 7 pm to 7 am. Our camaraderie made for a great work environment.
Blessings on your special anniversary celebration.
Sister Melannie:
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
Sleep…I am lucky if I get 5 hours a night. Started when I had my first knee surgery and couldn’t rest. I would wander around and then try to lay down to catch a few more bits of sleep. When ai retired six year ago it got worse. I get up at 2:30 each morning and have my coffee and pray till 4:00. I then spend another two hours in mid morning with more prayers. There are so many people who need our prayers and I am happy that I can ask God to help them. Will add special prayers for your 60th.
God bless you and thank you for 6 decades as a religious Sister, AND MANY more
I pray.
My nursing career resumed after a hiatus of 13 years to mother 4 children born between 62’ to 67’.
As I drove to work I prayed , “help me Lord, as I can only help others if the Holy Spirit helps me!”
In obstetrics, nights with a full moon often meant amniotic sac of fluid harboring the fetus broke, and patients knew to go to the hospital “STAT”.
Often that meant running out of available beds and leaving the day shift with many
Patients waiting in the hallway, very unhappy , with no privacy!
Compassion and composure became an added need to my nursing checklist.
Marilyn Woidat
Happy 60th, Melanie. Your article about Mayo is on our bulletin board in the Community Room. Thank you for all your kind thoughts about us in Rochester. It was such a treat having had you here. Love, Edith
Good morning, Sr. Melannie! Congratulations again on your 60 years as a SND! Yesterday’s Mass and celebration was beautiful and the joy on the faces of all the Sisters who celebrated was inspirational. I am glad that I got to be a small part of your big day! God’s continuing blessings on you and the other jubilerians!
Today’s blog made me think of my dear dad. He worked during the day in a factory then afterwards worked as a security guard, got a few hours sleep then started all over again. Sundays were his day of rest but he usually had breakfast ready when my mom and the 7 of us kids got home from nine o’clock Mass. I always felt that the world was a safer place because he was on duty even though I didn’t have a clue where he was at on that duty. Now when I can’t sleep, I pray for those who have the night shift.
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary! May this week be especially joy filled.
So much of what you said is so true. Having a husband with dementia and going through cancer chemo I don’t know what I would do without my twenty four hour care. When I’m up in the middle of the night and hear him being taken to the restroom I thank God for those extra pair of hands. Bless all caregivers.
Congratulations on your anniversary (as well as Sr. Marilyn S)! I was blessed to know you in the late 60s-early 70s. I’ve “watched” you grow in wisdom and grace! Thank you for your ministry!
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary in service to our Lord through all you do in myriad ways for others.
Enjoy your well deserved R & R as you celebrate with family & friends!
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary in service to our Lord through all you do in myriad ways for others.
Enjoy your well deserved R & R as you celebrate with family & friends!
Congratulations! Wishing you a blessed celebration with your family in honor of your 60th. Enjoy your time off. God bless you:)
Congratulations on your 60 Years!!!! What an accomplishment. Have a wonderful time
celebrating.
Being unable to sleep (often, because of my medical condition) enables me to pray and otherwise call to mind bits and pieces of what I remember and imagine–at any time of day. Since God is with us, as the song says, and not just in times of distress, I’m a happy fellow. So is the priest who uses the phrase, “The Lord is with you” several times at Mass, when the standard (Catholic) phrase is “The Lord be with you.” The wish becomes the reality, and the people assent in their responses. Remember Abraham Heschel’s “Just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy.” How modest the “just’ in light of the sacredness.
Congrats Sr Melanie on your 60 years!!
My husband worked night shift when our kids were young. It was at times difficult but we were able to make it work .
Congratulations on your 60th. Jubilee!
May God continue to bless you in your ministry to His people.
I worked as a hospital chaplain and was on call at night. It was a wonderful experience to be called in ministry to the patients and their families during the night usually in the emergency room and support the staff. When not on call I would remember the night before retiring for the night.
May God continue to bless all those serving our cities during the night.
God bless!
Sr. Melannie,
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary and wishing you a joyous celebration with family and friends and a time of rest and relaxation. Thank you for your insights and inspiration through your blog and your books. God bless the work that you do!
As an oncology nurse, over the years I managed to work each of the shifts. The 12 hour night shift was definitely not my cup of tea and I’m thankful for those who serve on that shift. My favorite was the 3-11 shift which could be busy but it was more conducive to personal interaction with my patients especially when getting them settled for the night. Many special memories of my patients. It was a privilege to serve as an oncology nurse.
Hello, Sr. Melanie.
Just wanted to say hello after all of these years. As always, I enjoy your thoughtful reflections. Congratulations on 60 years of religious life.
Vince Luecke
Jesuit Novice Class of 1993
Working throughout the night was self-imposed during my college years in far too frequent “all-nighters” to study for exams or more often to write papers. While procrastination was certainly a factor, writing was so anguishing for me that fatigue was helpful to relax my perfectionism. Being tired allowed me to get into a zone that seemed unattainable during daylight hours. I once worked all weekend without sleep to start and finish a research paper. While I got an A, it was at a high cost of extreme exhaustion and I learned never repeat that!
I am grateful for your rich 60 years as a religious sister. The SNDs at St Mary Middle School and JFK High School in Warren, OH were integral to our Catholic education. Thank you for your rich support to our adult faith life. You are a treasure!
Sister melanie, Congratulations on sixty years.
This blog reminded me of when, 45 years ago, I work the night shift doing computer repairs and updates in the late 70s. The quiet was helpful for my troubled mind as I was dealing with.
Undiagnosed undiagnosed PTSD. Now, as I continue to grow and learn and pray, I thank God every night.
Congratulations Sister. As much as we love you and all your wisdom, I think you deserve a 2 week vacation! Enjoy your family and friends. God Bless
Congratulations Sister Melannie!! God Bless you!!. I am so glad I found your blog.