Peace

Oh the peace offered to us by the Lord.  John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.   Jesus declared He was leaving us with HIS peace.  What a beautiful gift. 

But how often do we live in that place of calm?  Many times we give it away or allow it to be clouded out and buried under the cares of this world.  My morning was very much like that.  

We have some new people coming to fix the problems left by the last contractor who did the work in our bathrooms.  What a mess.  So I  had multiple decisions to make before I had barely gulped down my coffee.  Multiple texts to multiple people and groups needed addressing regarding decisions for the church lunch on Sunday.  A friend called wanting to chat for a little bit.  My animals needed to be put away before the construction guys came.  Another friend texted needed some paperwork info from me.  And I had to call the tile store to place an order for some replacement tile.  The one bathroom needed to be cleaned and somewhat put back together (still does) so we could use it for showering.  This is in the first hour and a half of my day.  I just felt like things were coming at me from every direction.  I am not a morning person and prefer to wake up slowly and quietly!  LOL  And I need my God time!!  Neither of these things was happening.  

Finally, I sat down to have time with the Lord.  I've been starting my time with "31 Days of Praise" by Ruth Myers.  I love this little book, and have for many years.  Today's reading starts out with "Thank You that You have me in the place You want me just now...."   And while Ruth was addressing some of the darker, harder life places we find ourselves in, as I read through the passage I just felt God's peace flowing through me, calming my heart and putting an end to my fretting and disquiet.  Later in the reading she says, "So I rest in the fact that You have me in this place for this day, and I praise You that You will faithfully guide me throughout life to just where You want me to be, as I seek to do Your will....How delighted I am to have You as my dwelling place where I can settle down, feel secure and be content anywhere on earth...You are my blessed home."  

What soul soothing words.  All over the Scripture we are told that God is our shelter, our refuge, our place of rest.  Psalm 91:1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!  Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

So what are you facing today?  Big, life shaking, soul rending troubles?  Or maybe it's just a bunch of small, confusing, anxiety producing darts quickly firing at your day.  God has You right where You need to be, for His purposes and for Your good no matter what is going on.  I pray that His peace would pour over you as you grab hold of this truth and bury it deep in your heart.  

Lord, we so often get our eyes off of You and onto the trying circumstances around us.  Sometimes all we need is to take a breath in Your Presence and allow You to melt away the anxiety and frustration.  Sometimes we need to hide ourselves away in You, clinging for dear life.  Either way You are our resting place, our refuge, our high tower both now and in eternity.  Help us to not get outside Your walls.  Whatever is going on, You have a beautiful and good plan for us.  As the rainbow reminds us, You are a faithful promise keeper, and You are keeping us safe in Your care.  And we are right where we are supposed to be in that moment.  Help us to remember that You don't forget us.  Bring us peace that only comes from You.  We love You.  And thank You for this morning, this wonderful flowing of Your Spirit into my soul today.  Thank You for the reminder to rest in You.  All praise and glory and honor and power are Yours, now and forever.  Amen!

Practice peace today.  Meditate on the above Scriptures.  

GOD IS OUR BLESSED HOME!