Cling to Jesus' Peace

John 14:27
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.

The only peace I know I can depend on is Jesus’ peace.

My life has not followed a straight path. I doubt yours has either. I changed jobs several times. Each time, a bit of fear crept in. When I got the call that I had been chosen for an interview at the last job I worked at, fear didn’t just creep in, it held me in its grasp. I was moving from an elementary school, where I loved the students, teachers, and staff, to academia where I knew no one. Being on the employee side of academics is much different than attending classes as a student. The people I was about to meet and interview with had expectations and requirements different from my previous employer. Would I be good enough? Did I have enough experience? Would I meet their expectations. Being under the microscope magnified my fear as I was leaving the comfort of my hometown and heading into a new realm.

After many questions, I passed the interview and got the job where I worked for twelve years and eventually retired from. Had I not depended on Jesus’ peace, I would not have made it through the questions or the twelve years. His peace kept me grounded.

In John fourteen, Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure from the world. They are in for big changes and no doubt fear had crept in and overwhelmed them, but Jesus prepared his followers. He shared the key to overcoming fear. His peace.

He gave his peace to the ones who loved him, and he still does. He offers his peace to each of us through the Holy Spirit. It’s within reach through prayer and God’s word.

When the world goes sideways or your heart is troubled, cling to Jesus’ peace.

Be Yourself

1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

“Be yourself, that’s what we do-no one will be just like you.”-Betsy & Bailey 

I had the privilege of presenting what it is to be an author at Career Day, where my daughter, Sara, teaches. Electricians, a librarian, concrete workers, park rangers, a professional athlete, environmentalists, a scientist, and a rancher were represented, plus many more. The children absorbed every presentation.

I spoke with kindergarteners and first and second graders about what I do as a writer, and I got to read my picture book to them. Betsy and Bailey is a book about sisters who are different from each other. In the end, they learn to appreciate their differences. If you have children, or are around them, you know each one has their own personality and abilities. As a mom, I encouraged my children to be themselves and embrace their strengths. God had created them with unique abilities and dreams, and I found great joy in nurturing them to be who they are today. I loved hugging my babies and walking with my kiddos through their early years, but if I can grab any time with them now, as adults, I cherish the moment.

I can imagine our Father, God, takes great joy in seeing his children grow. He created each of us to glorify him through the different abilities and dreams we hold. Jesus gave his life for every one of us, and he loves us and sees us. God has a plan, and I have a purpose. I strive to be who God made me to be.

I pray you embrace God’s purpose for your life and your uniqueness.

I Have the Joy

Psalm 28:6-7
Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.

I have joy, joy, joy...down in my heart. 

I remember singing that chorus at camp, my favorite place in the summers of my youth. Surrounded by friends who believed in Jesus, exploring nature, meeting together at the campfire to sing and pray—filled our souls with joy. Not happiness—but pure joy, the deep satisfying feeling that everything is going to be okay. And it bubbled over. The joy I discovered overflowed and tumbled onto my friends, and their joy splashed all over me. When I came home, the delight I had tucked into my heart carried me through my days. No matter what happened or wherever I was, Jesus' joy soothed my soul.

As an adult, I'm more conscientious of the joy I find in Jesus. Sometimes rejoicing is a struggle. On those days, I tap into his word and cry out in prayer to reassure myself everything will be okay. It's hard to experience joy when the world is out of whack. But Jesus always comes through. As I trust in him for wisdom and mercy, he splashes me with joy. I love Jesus and he loves me back. I sing the same little chorus today that I sang at camp. I have Jesus’ joy down in my heart, and I praise him because that joy carries me through the hard stuff, the frustrating things, the opinions, the anger, and the unkindness we experience in the world. Joy ignites rejoicing in the good and holy.

Even on days when my joy is more like a grain of sand than a solid rock, I'm thankful I have a glimmer of hope.

Let the joy of Jesus overflow like a fountain.