“What do you want for Christmas, Grandma?” Curiosity widens the child’s eyes.
Most Grandmas don’t need something new a person buys in a store. I don’t have to think about my answer. “I want peace.”
“You mean like, no more wars and stuff?”
In our crazy world the word peace often means no more war. No more gangs. No more riots. But I mean a different kind of peace. John 14:27 shows me that Jesus wants us to have peace in our hearts. Jesus said, “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 nor let it be afraid.”
The apostle Paul began each of the epistles in the New Testament with a greeting of peace. That is peace that can only come from God.
Life was hard in Bible times and life can be hard for me in this modern world at those times when my heart is troubled. I’m not actually afraid of things I can name. For example, when I didn’t know if my husband would leave the hospital alive. Life has handed me big things like death in the family, pain, and illness. I can see I have no control and it’s easy for me to give those situations to God.
I do admit to getting mad at my computer when I want to spend time writing my stories. I do become anxious when seemingly small things build up. I try to get things done on my own strength and then I give up. Those times I want Jesus to give me peace, so I open myself up and rest in God, where He creates a waiting place.
“What’s a waiting place?”
I’ll say it’s my heart. My heart is the place I wait for Jesus to show me God’s plan. So my waiting place is found when I open my heart to His presence through the words of the Bible. In the Old Testament Isaiah 40:31 tells us those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.
Much like the rest of the modern world, I can expect instant results. Especially when it comes to writing, words often don’t pop up immediately the way I think they should.
While digging into the Bible. I find my waiting place in Jesus, in the solace of His words. Psalm 119:147 struck me anew. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Thy words.
I often wait for His words when I write my stories. Lately, His words in Scripture have made me more aware of just how precious I am in His sight. I’m also realizing how extensive Jesus appears throughout the Old Testament. The bigger picture of God’s love letter to Christians is growing more cohesive in my mind.
In other words, I am more aware of His great love for me each time I cease striving and seek Him. Isaiah 66:12 reads, “For thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I extend peace to her like a river.’”
Peace like a river reminds me of the first words of the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” Only God can provide the soothing flow of water when earthly grief and troubles crash like waves of the sea.
He is God. He has a unique plan for me, for all of you, for my writing journey, and whatever He has called you to do.
Most Grandmas don’t need something new a person buys in a store. I don’t have to think about my answer. “I want peace.”
“You mean like, no more wars and stuff?”
In our crazy world the word peace often means no more war. No more gangs. No more riots. But I mean a different kind of peace. John 14:27 shows me that Jesus wants us to have peace in our hearts. Jesus said, “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 nor let it be afraid.”
The apostle Paul began each of the epistles in the New Testament with a greeting of peace. That is peace that can only come from God.
Life was hard in Bible times and life can be hard for me in this modern world at those times when my heart is troubled. I’m not actually afraid of things I can name. For example, when I didn’t know if my husband would leave the hospital alive. Life has handed me big things like death in the family, pain, and illness. I can see I have no control and it’s easy for me to give those situations to God.
I do admit to getting mad at my computer when I want to spend time writing my stories. I do become anxious when seemingly small things build up. I try to get things done on my own strength and then I give up. Those times I want Jesus to give me peace, so I open myself up and rest in God, where He creates a waiting place.
“What’s a waiting place?”
I’ll say it’s my heart. My heart is the place I wait for Jesus to show me God’s plan. So my waiting place is found when I open my heart to His presence through the words of the Bible. In the Old Testament Isaiah 40:31 tells us those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.
Much like the rest of the modern world, I can expect instant results. Especially when it comes to writing, words often don’t pop up immediately the way I think they should.
While digging into the Bible. I find my waiting place in Jesus, in the solace of His words. Psalm 119:147 struck me anew. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Thy words.
I often wait for His words when I write my stories. Lately, His words in Scripture have made me more aware of just how precious I am in His sight. I’m also realizing how extensive Jesus appears throughout the Old Testament. The bigger picture of God’s love letter to Christians is growing more cohesive in my mind.
In other words, I am more aware of His great love for me each time I cease striving and seek Him. Isaiah 66:12 reads, “For thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I extend peace to her like a river.’”
Peace like a river reminds me of the first words of the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” Only God can provide the soothing flow of water when earthly grief and troubles crash like waves of the sea.
He is God. He has a unique plan for me, for all of you, for my writing journey, and whatever He has called you to do.
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