God's kind of Peace



Early this morning we were awakened by a huge boom of thunder, and the flashing of lightning filled the darkened room.  Even the cat at the foot of the bed jumped up and curled up between us. I couldn't sleep after that, and I lay awake pondering the bigness of our God.  His power makes the thunder to clash and rain to fall upon the parched (where I live) earth.  Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."  I thought how much love our Heavenly Father shows every minute of every day.  By his power, he got us safely through the night and brought us to this new day.

Then, the busyness of the day got in my way.  I had laundry to do, floors to wash, meals to prepare, and I had a bountiful harvest that we had picked to fix for the freezer,  All the joy that I had early in the morning seemed to dwindle away by noon.  Why are we like this?  Sin.  Christians have two natures in us warring against one another.  One is the Spirit and one is the flesh.  For a while, my flesh won.  I threw the last load of laundry into the washer muttering away about how I had no time to enjoy myself (notice the sin of pride there ) it was all work, work, work.  I grab the last bit of one of my son's clothing, and then it struck me. He is home on summer break from college. Soon he goes back to school, and then I won't have all this work.  My day will be a bit duller and less lively.  I was sorry.  I repented.

Are you that way?  Do you forget to walk in the Spirit?  I don't think I am alone.  I read all kinds of posts on Facebook where folks complain of things that happen to them.  I thought of a good friend of mine. Denise needed a heart transplant.  She was a young mother with five boys.  Our family often took the two youngest to live with us when Denise was at a weak point.  Yet she was always happy. One day after Sunday school, where the lesson had been on the fruit of the Spirit, (remember kindness is one of the fruit) we had gone into the restroom.  Denise was still in the stall, and as I washed, two women came in and said, "You know, Denise looks pretty good, I don't think she is sick at all. I think she makes it up."  I turned around to say something, but Denise had just come out and shook her head no.  The ladies were embarrassed.  Later when I had a chance to talk with her, Denise said simply, "They don't understand."  She ended up sending those two ladies lovely gifts.  She showed them kindness.

I have often thought that I should have gone back and said, "Why did you say that about Denise?"  Maybe they would have realized their sin.  I don't like to confront my sin and so it makes it difficult to talk with someone else about theirs, but shouldn't I, shouldn't we all?  How can we grow as Christians?  It isn't easy, is it?

Denise taught me a lesson that day. Our heavenly Father forgives us our sins, and so we need to forgive those who sin against us.

Well, my day is nearly over.  My relationship with my heavenly Father is restored, and I am at peace.  Not the peace the world gives, but the peace that Jesus gives.  Peace coming from the knowledge that Jesus died for me. He forgave me my sin while I was yet a sinner.  He gives me life eternal and a heavenly home.  I can lay me down in peace and sleep.(Psalm 4:8)

Dear Reader, have a lovely night and be at peace.

Some scriptures to ponder:
Psalm 19
Psalm 139
Romans 5
Romans 8
Colossians 3: 15, 16
Colossians 1
John 15
Galatians 5


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