On many holidays, my sweet husband would ask what I would like as a gift. My response was almost always the same: I would like PEACE from my four delightful and totally normal children. No arguing, no complaining, no frustrations or fighting. Just peace.
The funny thing is, though, that after all of these years, my request has remained the same. Only now it’s a whispered prayer to God instead of to my husband: Please Lord, let all of my adult children and their spouses get along, love each other, find the best in one another and be their best selves.
A few weeks ago, God answered this prayer in a huge way. With a family of 10 adults and 7 children, peace for everyone at once is a rarity, but it happened!
We were celebrating two birthdays at our home with our grown children. I asked God again for the gift of peace. As the night unfolded, there was joy and laughter surrounding the table. The guys were all engaged with crazy antics and stories while the girls were dancing to throwback music from their teens. The peace in those relationships and in that evening left this momma’s heart full and beaming. After everyone went home, I marveled at the way God had answered my prayer.
As moms, we have many balls in the air, don’t we? Then add in the extra struggles that come from our little (and sometimes big!) children (who have minds of their own) and finding peace can feel impossible. So how do we access this gift anytime and anywhere?
Well, in recent months, I’ve decided to take Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), at his word. When he left the earth over 2000 years ago, he said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27a). Jesus wants his peace to be woven into our daily life; not just on special occasions when all the circumstances line up perfectly, but always. Peace is a gift — a fruit of the Holy Spirit — but the enemy works hard to rob us of it if we aren’t careful.
So, when I lose my peace…truly lose it...I stop what I’m doing and tell Jesus everything. Often, I do this by spending a few minutes in his presence so he can calm my spirit. But sometimes the peace I need doesn’t happen immediately, so I have to turn on worship music or read some verses about the peace of God. Either way, eventually Jesus always speaks peace into my heart.
God promises us: “Never will I leave you, nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). So even in our chaos, He IS with us, offering peace, like a beautifully wrapped holiday gift.
Scripture Meditations:
Galatians 5:22-23
Philippians 4:7
Reflection questions:
1. What areas of your life feel chaotic, out of control, or overwhelming?
2. In moments where peace is missing, what reminders can you leave yourself to stop and share your trials with God?
3. Ask Jesus: “Will you please help me catch the moments of peace that actually do happen and thank you for them? Will you please remind me to come to you with my frustrations instead of venting to others?”
Kathy Morgan has been married to her best friend, Bob, for over 37 years. Together they have four grown, married, children and seven grandchildren. Kathy is a Hospital Chaplain and loves mentoring women, hosting ministry events in her home, prayer, cooking, reading historical Biblical fiction, and eating all forms of potatoes.