There has been so much going on lately. Some good and exciting, some not so much. I haven't really felt like writing about things going on in life right now. But something compels me to write today. Strange as it sounds, I think it was a familiar children's song that Allie was listening to on YouTube this morning. I wasn't even listening to it since she had on headphones. I was feeling once again overwhelmed by things happening in the world. Feeling thankful that my children are with me, and at the same time feeling an overwhelming sadness that some parents don't have that today.
I walked over to the computer where Allie, who I'd barely been able to stop hugging this morning, was sitting listening to songs. She had started with
Jesus Loves Me, then was on to
I've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy. The words were flashing across the screen with pictures of hearts, smiley faces, and fuzzy little kittens. Then there must have been a break in the music, because after the verse which says , "I've got the peace peace peace peace down in my heart" some Scriptures popped up. One of them caught my attention and hasn't let me go all morning.
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 world views peace as the absence of trouble or fighting. There can only be peace when things are going good. When everyone's happy and healthy. But that's not true peace that comes from Jesus. Through that children's song He reminded me that the peace that He gives is so different. He is holding us and comforting us
in spite of all the trouble and heartache. He is there, waiting for us to cry out to Him and allow Him to hold us and comfort us.
For my friend whose son's classmate drowned at their Kindergarten pool party in their presence, Jesus offers His peace. For that hurting family, He offers His peace. For the parents in Oklahoma who didn't get to pick up their children from school yesterday, He offers His peace. For my family as we learned that Brian was laid off before his own business can financially support us, He offers His peace. Our problem seems so insignificant when I look at these other situations. But of course nothing is insignificant to Jesus. From the smallest detail to the most devastating event, He is there. And oh how I am thankful for that. What would I do without Him? What purpose would this life have? I want to praise Him and thank Him continually for how He shows Himself at work in my life. All I have to do is open my eyes. I ask Him to show Himself faithful in all these tragedies. I pray for believers to lean on Him and for unbelievers to turn to Him. I hope you'll lift your cries to Him today too.
