Day to day chaos tends to reign in most families’ homes. With parents juggling their kids’ sports schedules, their own jobs, trying to keep the house clean, grocery shopping, prepping meals and feeding everyone in-between their schedules, doing multiple loads of laundry, watering the wilting plants, remembering to take the dog out for a quick walk, and helping the monkeys with their homework, it seems impossible to find a moment for peace and quiet, let alone for some quality devotional and prayer time with the Lord.

This is when we wonder why the Lord feels distant and aloof from us. The truth is, He isn’t aloof or distant. He is just patiently waiting for us to recognize Him and give Him a portion of our day. After all, He did cause the sun to rise giving us another day, and allowed our heart to keep pumping, and put us in a country full of freedoms of choice.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7

Lately, I have noticed how much calmer I am, and filled with this unusual peace. I think this is what the verse that says “the peace that passes understanding” feels like! So why am I experiencing this?

Last week my Grandfather of 97 years passed away. For days his remaining family of 36 of us poured over his life with pictures, articles, letters, plaques, journals and diaries, Bibles, and sharing memories galore. His life of several years of military service in the Navy, and decades of marriage to Grandma and pastoral service to the Lord, was rewarded by being reunited with his wife and daughter, and actually meeting His Lord face to face!

How awesome is that – to know that when we die, we have a Savior that will fulfill all of His promises to us by bringing us to His home, a place called Heaven. There we will experience by seeing, feeling and knowing the greatest love – which far surpasses anything we could possibly have here – the love of Jehovah, I AM, our heavenly Father, the KING, the Creator of all that is.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3

In the past, I knew this all to be true, but this last week has driven it home deep within my heart and soul. Besides that, I know many were praying for me and my family, and the Lord responded to their many requests.

We have NOTHING to fear with God on our side!

When our chaotic lives seem out of control; when those storms of life come blowing; when the pains of our bodies and the heartaches of our loss and the stumbling blocks cause us to fall; we can KNOW that the Lord Jesus is right there with us. His heart is for YOU. Be confident in every moment of every day because God is in control, not you. God is in it. He has all things in His hands. He has you surrounded by an army of angels. Just open your eyes, soften your heart, listen with your ears, and trust Him. Take a moment and REST. Read some Scripture, talk to the Lord. The chaos will fade away, and you will sense His presence. The Holy Spirit will fill you with such a sense of peace and calmness. Soak in it. SOAK in it. Then give Him thanks, and praise the Lord! Speak His great name!

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27

Food for thought: Merriam Webster defines ‘peace’ as:
– a state of tranquility or quiet
– freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
– harmony in personal relations.

Fun facts: “For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – A Veteran’s Memorial