Peace

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I cannot say that I love knowing that we will have and should expect trouble in this life. I mean, my flesh nature wants to question why and try to find a way around it, but I know firsthand that it is not my place to know the answers. Kids have an uncanny way of asking questions that are difficult to answer and I am grateful to have a book filled with answers. Answers that may still seem difficult to understand, and answers that we may not agree with. We do, however, have the greatest book of answers ever written. The Bible. When people have children, one thing we tend to laugh off is the fact that they don’t come with an instruction manual. I would argue that we do. We may not have a book with all of the nitty gritty, but we have the opportunity to seek answers in the greatest book ever written. Again, I am not saying it is easy, or that the answers we are searching for will be made clear to us immediately, but we have a source that cannot be matched.

I recently encountered a mom of a seven year old girl who is struggling with some serious health and eating challenges. I love that God placed me in a moment with this mom (who I had not met before) and gave me an opportunity to listen and then share resources upon resources that may benefit her daughter. I was able to lean in and care for her as a complete stranger, and now pray for her and her daughter as they seek the remedy to the difficulties they are facing.

I share that story because sometimes we can get so bogged down with our own issues and pain, and forget that what we are going through can benefit others if we allow it to. In the Bible, “Michal and Abigail made clear the choice we have: store up good and spill over good or allow meanness, bitterness, or insecurity to fill the space of our heart and spill the same.” - Lynn Cowell

We can take our experiences, learn from them, and look for opportunities to pour into other people just as God has designed us to. I choose to share my story and my journey in an ongoing fashion in an effort to do exactly what I believe God is calling me to do. I may have received a scary diagnosis, and I am walking a road that is unfamiliar and against the norm when it comes to post cancer treatment and healing, but I will take what I am learning and share it with the hope that others will be blessed. Lives will be saved. People will heal. Hope and Joy will be restored!

“Building a foundation of faith … works fearlessness into me.” - Lynn Cowell

In the midst of pain, may I exhibit a poise that can only be found in Jesus’ peace.

Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

I want to know how I can pray for you, or provide resources for you. Use the Contact link at the top of the page to connect with me.