“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
The car door had barely closed behind me before uncontrollable tears began to stream down my face. If I could barely make it up the walk and through the church entrance, how in the world could his grieving mama face the day?
He was nine and full of life.
Nine years young, just like my third-born son. It felt like it was just yesterday that his mama and I were whispering back and forth in the church nursery – keeping our voices low to not startle sleepy little ones – as side-by-side, week-by-week we rocked and visited and nursed our newborn babes.
We never expected to meet up again on a day like this.
The accident. The Intensive Care Unit. Our desperate cries for life. His most unexpected death.
Yet in deep grief, there was a peace that is not of this world.
And the world knew there was something different about her…
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
I sat by her side while the doctor confirmed the worst. Her cancer had returned, and the predicted journey to come was difficult to hear. A lengthy discussion of options and timing and what seemed like a million other unknowns followed, and I can remember being stunned.
Stunned by a peace that passes all understanding.
Peace beyond human comprehension filled the crowded exam room that day… because it filled her… because she was filled with Him.
She focused on truth instead of the trial.
She gave thanks instead of giving into fear.
She trusted in His power instead of her plan.
She elevated His name above her own
And the world knew there was something different about her…
“But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – John 14:17-18
In her family, at home, in the church, across the street, in the workplace, and everywhere else in between, her circumstances don’t define her. Her God does. It’s by His great power that she can respond to life’s trials with uncommon grace and hope.
Not because she is passive, but because she is peaceful. Not because she’s perfect, but because she is being transformed by the One who is.
She knows that God is for her.
She knows that He won’t ever leave her.
She knows that He will strengthen her in times of trouble.
She knows that He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Because the Prince of Peace has come, we can come as peacemakers in a broken world.
Peace generators.
Good News tellers.
Hope givers.
And the world was stunned, giving her an open door to tell them all about Him…
At His Feet,
This year, as we continue to grow, we would be honored if you would not only join us in studying God’s Word, but in financially partnering with us to provide free Bible study resources to women ALL over the world. ?
Would you consider a monthly gift of $35 to help fund our translation work? With a monthly gift of $35 you will also receive each of our 2020 study journals!!! It’s a win-win for everyone! ? ?
