A peaceful present. Dad launched this tradition years ago. The peace sign is given to one another when we leave a family get-together or outing. Some of us yell, “I love you” until we’re out of sight from one another. Now, my little grands even give the peace and I-love-you signs. What peaceful presents (presence)! Do you have peace in YOUR heart? Is it reliant on the circumstances of the world? Why was my peace feeling challenged for several days?
“If we have no peace, it’s because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”- Mother Teresa
Peace. If only it were as easy as giving the peace sign.
My heart raced with every “ding” of my phone. The T.V. left me “braindead” and dull. Purposefully, I’d try and read, but my head hurt. I’d try to write and my brain felt bamboozled. My washer began making these terrible sounds; water leaked underneath it. Ding! Another text. I opened two unexpected bills after I unplugged my washer. Ding! PAUSE. PRAY. PRAISE. Two more dings of my phone. The hospital needed more information. My stomach was aching. I hadn’t eaten so my glucose monitor was beeping at me. My neck and back pain forced me to take more Tylenol. PAUSE. PRAY. PRAISE. Ding! Ding! Everything seemed to be too much. If it costs me my peace, is it worth it?
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
C.S. Lewis
I’m on year 3 of my cancer journey. Like diabetes, it’s not going to go “away”, but I can do things to help myself when the things I have NO control over start to pull me down (unexpected pain, aches, infection, new thyroid issues, etc…). Why does it seem that I’m on overload? DING! Do you feel that way?
As a visual learner I decided to make a list of the things that make up my LIFE. Creating this form made me happy (the teacher in me ;-).
Karla’s Life Chart by K.L.Hale
The four categories I chose were the best ways for me to visualize my “life”. All of these are important. However, many are non-negotiables! My life is not the same as it was before cancer, the surgery, and treatments. It is…life.
What things make your life? What are the most important? Do you feel bombarded or on information overload? Do you struggle keeping up with what matters most?
My precious parents share their struggles of aging. I’ve witnessed it just as they’ve witnessed my difficulties. My grandchildren are growing like weeds. My adult “kids” will experience new stages. Ah, the circle of life. There’s no need for me to overthink things! It took me years to cure my thinking disease! For my thoughts do not make me.
What does all of this have to do with peace?
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”
Francis of Assisi
When the things of life are not honoring God or giving him credit, I fall out of peace. It’s not easy to praise him when the washer and health are both breaking. How can I have peace if communication (aside from talking to my Heavenly Father) takes up every part of my day and other things aren’t addressed? If one area MUST be addressed, will the other areas just…wait? Be discarded? Move down the list?
It’s a ME problem. 🙏🏻
“God, you own it ALL. I’m sorry if I make it about me. Without you, there’s no true peace. You’ve told us to prepare for suffering if we follow you. These are the things that grow our faith. I’m ONLY saved by YOUR grace. It’s not from striving, being, or doing. It’s a gift. I heard the call and I accepted it. I was blind and now I see. It was a “me” problem. Thank you for saving me despite ME and my sin.”🙏🏻
All of us have the opportunity to accept this free gift. But I fear many won’t hear. The “dings” of this country and it’s continuous focus on materialism and “me” will drown the sound. I’m silencing all the “dings” of this world, Heavenly Father.
Have faith 💚 Do you know how loved you are?
Friends, thank you for reading and supporting me! My peace restores quicker than my body does at times–but still, I can laugh and find joy! I hope and pray you can find joy and laughter in the things that matter most. Keep on keeping on and don’t lose faith and hope! 💚🙏🏻🤗
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
My faith and peace are firmly planted in God’s promises. People, possessions, and passions will fail. The peace of God remains.
K.L. Hale
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