Just Peace

Have you ever walked in a horrible windy rain storm without a rain jacket or without hope of shelter? Or have you ever walked in such a storm WITH a rain jacket or the blessing of a tree to huddle under?  Isn’t it better to go through the rain with shelter?  Peace in the midst of a life’s struggles is kind of like a  rain jacket in a storm.  Sure its helpful and even comforting but you still get a little wet and windblown even with the jacket. 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

If you’ve been around these parts for very long you know that I have prayed diligently and fought fiercely for peace in my life.  No matter what my lot in life I have been able to say ‘It is well with my soul’.  Through prayer, worship and God’s word I clung to every ounce of peace the Lord would grace me with.  And through the sea billows of life I was blessed with true peace that passes all understanding.  But can we agree that just because you have peace you don’t necessarily have peaceFULness.  Right? 

Well something extraordinary has occurred that I just can not find words to express in a way that could bring any amount of honor to the moment in my kitchen last night. But alas, I will try to find the words because, well, that’s what I do.

I had just returned from Hawaii with a husband and marriage that is well on its way to being the most beautiful thing I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of….the house was a mess but our new little family found time to have a nice meal together.  The children were then nestled snuggly in their beds, Mr. Husband ran the movies back to the redbox and I was happily picking up the kitchen from dinner.  I paused to turn my thoughts to Jesus and through the crack of stillness slipped the presence of God.  He whispered “Just Peace”. 

Oh the sweet message that was delivered amidst the dishes….this was different.  There was JUST PEACE. No conflict, no worries, no disaster, no flood, no brokenness, no pain.  Silent, still, unmoving, not shaken, strong, lovely peaceFULness.  I do not remember a time that I have been accompanied by peace without conflict.

It astounds me really, that through all the trials that have been had and left behind and trudged through, only one thing remained, one thing reigned…

Just Peace