Peace

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

My heart bubbled with joy when I held my great-great niece in my arms for the first time. Several from our family gathered to welcome the sweet little one and her parents home. Her sweet smile melted our hearts, and her giggle filled us with joy, but the best part for this vintage grandma—rocking that sweet girl as she slept on my shoulder.

Is there anything more peaceful than a sleeping baby? Their little mouth drawn up in a bow and those long eyelashes resting on their chubby cheeks. What a blessing.

This time of year. I long for the peace God promises. Life gets busy around the holidays, and all the preparations tugs me in different directions, yet deep in my soul the Holy Spirit pours God’s peace over my heart. His peace, different from tranquility which comes from the external, lives in the internal depths of the soul. It’s a calm presence when life falls apart and an internal state of well-being amidst chaos. No matter what is going on around me, I have the peace that passes understanding, even amid the noise.

As I rocked my great-great niece, I thought about the peacefulness she must have because she knows her loving parents are taking great care of her. She feels their love just as I feel my Father’s love and know he has my best interest in mind.

Peace is on my top ten list of words because I know without doubt God’s peace guards my heart and mind and keeps anxiety from paralyzing me.

Seek His peace.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23