Peace is my Governor

Governor – a device automatically regulating the supply of fuel, steam, or water to a machine, ensuring uniform motion or limiting speed

I learned so much about peace from my precious mother -- lessons that I learned from her many years of taking care of my daddy who was very ill, working a full time job and ensuring that my well being didn't skip a beat. As tough as the times were, I never remember her being afraid, anxious, worried or stressed. I only remember her singing and praying her way through everything. Peace was her "governor".

When I I started blogging years ago, back when it would have seemed I had every right in the world to be in turmoil, anxious and afraid, I remembered my mom's coping mechanism -- it was God's peace. Like little David, the shepherd boy, I faced those giants and slung my "peace" stones at those giants in my life. I started blogging and, quite frankly, not only have I experienced inexplicable peace during the worst of times, but I've been able to pay it forward and convey to others how they, too, can live in a place of peace that passes understanding.

If there's anything I protect and hold most precious to my heart, it's God’s peace. That peace has been my dearest ally and friend for many years. When I wake in the morning, I know peace is with me. When I go to bed at night, I ensure His peace is with by not watching the evening news or some horror flick. I go to bed with peace. When I wake in the middle of the night and turmoil tries to overwhelm me, I go to the scripture "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is STAYED on Me." Isaiah 26:3. If I encounter conflict in the lives of others, I'll steer clear of that conflict at all costs.

I know that peace is God’s will. That heavenly peace is a state of absolute tranquility right in the midst of what could be the worst situation. It is comfort when life is extremely UN-comfortable. Fear can be lurking behind every corner, but a state of peace looks at fear and laughs at it. (I love that verse in Proverbs 31:25 ".....she laughs without fear of the future.") That peace isn't something that comes and goes -- depending on our circumstances. The peace I'm talking about is the GOVERNOR of our lives. Honestly, peace is my GOVERNOR. This kind of peace should GOVERN our lives in all things at all times. When the things of life disturb us — that stack of bills, a negative health report, the troubled relationship, anxious feelings of our own inadequacy -- is when we need to submit to the Governor of peace.

Here’s the good news: We can have that kind of peace. Jesus told His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.

The peace Christ gives is fully satisfying. It’s peace of mind, heart, body and soul. It is contentment knowing that no matter what happens, we are in the care of the Almighty. Psalm 29:11, "The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

Billows of Love

“Billows” isn’t a word that I use in my everyday speech. But, yesterday, on my morning walk, I looked up at the sky and saw the clouds in billows. An old song that I heard my mama sing so many times came to my mind. “Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless BILLOWS of love.” And, right in the middle of those “billows” was the sun shining through. Of course, I had a “God” moment!

When I returned home, I headed to "Google" to be sure that I had “billows” in the right connotation, and sure enough, billows means a large mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam. Aha! Billows of love and peace sweeping over my soul right in the middle of the storms I might be facing – love and peace that comes from the sun (the Son)!

It was such a sweet thought I had about my precious mother who – these many years later – I remember how she lived in God’s peace in the middle of tremendous chaos. My mom knew chaos. Her husband (my dad) was diagnosed with a brain tumor when I was eight years old. After the surgery to remove the tumor, my dad was never the same. He had many seizures that I witnessed as a young child that created chaos and fear in my young mind. There was no back-up plan for any potential of something happening to Dad, so my mom had to work long hours to supply for us. He passed away when I was fifteen. I watched Mom, throughout those years, to be in peace. I never saw her anguishing about her “lot in life”. I remember that she had to sell her wedding ring at a pawn shop to get enough money to help make ends meet. Maybe, I saw tears on that day, but she would rise up and sing “Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.”

I, too, know that peace because of her example. I had my own times of chaos. I clung to the same peace during those times like my mama did. I’m in a 12-week Bible Study and this week’s lesson is “Out of Chaos; Into His Image”. I’d much rather ponder “peace” than “chaos” because chaos means “complete disorder and confusion”, turmoil, disruption, train wreck”. Train wreck? I read those words “train wreck” and I remembered my mom again. She could no longer have children and for that matter didn’t want any more since she already had three children of whom the youngest was 12. But she was in a train wreck and that “chaos” reorganized her insides and bada bing bada boom, I was conceived. At first it added “chaos” to her world, but she was so grateful for “her baby” because I was the one that would not only comfort her in her tough times, but, eventually, I was her caregiver. She had taught me well the way of peace. I was able to return the favor.

I have many dear friends in Puerto Rico who have lost everything in the disaster of Hurricane Maria. I have other friends and family going through tremendous storms and wonder if they’ll survive the chaos in their world. Maybe you are one of those that is suffering today for fear of what the future may hold for you because of the chaos all around you. Your own “train wreck” could be the catalyst for birthing new ideas, creativity, dreams coming true, and resurrection life.

Let’s turn the chaos into peace. Jesus did it when He spoke to the winds and waves, “Peace be still”. He’s given us the authority to speak to the winds and waves in our lives. May we all sing and pray with my Mom: “Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.”

Psalm 29:11 “The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.”

Keep Smiling!

Yesterday’s visit to the dentist with my two youngest grandsons, inspired this post today. I saw that sign on the wall, and of course it called for a photo opt with my two boys. The smiles on these two boys remind me of the joys of a smile and the importance of a simple smile:
.
1. Smiling can make us happy (even when we're not).
2. Smiling can make others happy.
3. Smiling makes us more attractive.
4. Smiling can help us de-stress.
5. Smiling can help us land a job, win friends, open the doors of opportunity.
6. Smiling can lead to laughter.
7. Smiling just feels good.

But, with so much to look perplexed about these days...who will be our next president, how to keep our families safe, how to earn enough finances to keep afloat, dealing with a physical issue, how to calm the storms in our lives – how can we possible muster up smiling all the time?

Even more loving and caring than our parents when we were kids, is our loving and caring Father God who wants to help us "worry less and smile more often". As God's children, should we worry and fret? Would He teach us to walk, to watch us fall? Would He give us life, to watch us fail? Would He be nailed to the cross and then disregard our prayers?

Philippians 4:6-7 says "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us -- so let's purpose to WORRY LESS and SMILE MORE OFTEN! I think that's exactly how our DAD wants us to live -- complete trust in His wise and sovereign ways that ensure we are in His loving care.

I'll take that! I'm smiling BIG! How about you!

Patience is HANGING LOOSE

Day 295 of Photo Inspirations -- Patience is HANGING LOOSE!
This photo inspiration is from my trip to Hawaii and everywhere I went they were using the hand gesture that means "Hang Loose".  It is so refreshing to see how relaxed they are there.  So many of us here on the mainland are in such a hurry to get from Point A to Point B that we don't even notice the beauty of the day.  We're in such a rush to get to our next appointment that we don't stop to thank a store clerk for their service or to ask someone how their day is going. It's time for us to SLOW DOWN and BREATHE.  I know that the fast-paced lives we live keeps us feeling like we need to rush here and there. So why is it such a work-out to have patience?

First of all, patience goes against our human nature.  When a baby wakes up in the middle of the night and is  hungry, he doesn't lie there and think, "I know mommy and daddy are tired, so I'll just wait until a more convenient time to let them know that I'm hungry."  NO! That baby cries impatienty and contiues to cry until he receives the attention he demands.  

Secondly, we have the weeds of pride, selfishness and anger that can easily choke out the quality of patience.  And it's revealed when the cable TV goes out again or there's long lines at the grocery store.  Were you ever the one that honked at a guy at a traffic light whose car had stalled and he was frantically trying to get it started?  And the chorus of honking horns made matters even worse for him.

Thirdly, patience is contrary to our culture, and that's what I meant in my opening paragraph.  We don't live in a relaxed culture.  Having had the opportunity to travel to third world countries, I know they have very different lifestyles.  They're more laid back.  They think, "Whatever happens, happens.  It'll be all right."  They have the "Don't worry. Be happy" mindset.  And they wonder why we're so uptight.  It's because we're on a fast track.  The more conveniences we have, it seems we become even more impatient.  We're in a world of high tech and fastest is best when it comes to appliances, electronics, cars, traveling, AND cooking.  

But God wants us to grow the quality of patience.  It comes with the Fruit of the Spirit -- so if God lives in us, we already have it inside of us.  What a more beautiful, peaceful, comfortable, relaxed life we can have when PATIENCE becomes a "must have".  Being patient is evidence of our trust and faith in our Heavenly Father.

James 1:4 "......for when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."

Matthew 7:16 "You will know them by their fruit"

I pray today for patience for you and I – in small situations at work, at home, on the road – and for patience in the bigger circumstances that surround us. In your waiting and seeking, may God's peace and courage fill you with hope.......AND patience!

Stress FREE Life

At this time of my life, I often have to pinch myself at the blessings of God that seem way beyond my worthiness. Here I am on a cruise -- the first one since my sweetheart and I went on our 15th cruise -- it was our 40th wedding anniversary gift -- to go to Rome and then to go on a 12-day Mediterranean cruise. It was so wonderful. And this trip, while I love everything about having earned this trip, I admit how much I miss my sweetheart. Cruising is for lovers -- believe me I see them everywhere on board this ship. I'm sure of that. But, my desires have been to live a full, blessed, overflowing with God's peace, even when I remember the past beautiful times, my joys are abundant today. And, I know those DESIRES have been put there by God, Himself.

When I think about God's goodness to me I think about Psalm 37:3-5 . “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and do good. Delight yourself in the Lord; and HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.”

Here's how I interpret that scripture. If I'm DELIGHTING in Him -- loving, trusting, commting my ways and relying on Him -- I'm trusting that the desires that come, are HIS desires for me.

That is great news to me. I don't have to make it happen or force that desire into reality. It takes all the pressure off. I am called to trust Him to act. If those desires ever becomes reality, He will be the one to do it. Finally, I am responsible to commit my way to Him. That means I lay my life, my family, my ministry, and my future before Him. He can be trusted with all of those things. God calls the shots and my job is to obey and follow whatever directions He gives me.

Here is my word to you. Be faithful. Trust God. Delight in Him. Commit your life to Him. If we are doing that, the Lord will give us the desires of our heart. Go ahead -- start delighting in Him today, and just expect His desires to be YOUR desires.