Peaceful

Sunday afternoon S declared we were picking up the house. We all worked together and got the girls' room, their bathroom, the homeschool room, and living room cleaned up. What a difference!

Today I got groceries for the week and got a lot of laundry done. The girls have the day off of school (we are taking 2 days of Spring break this week and 3 another week.) so their job is to clean the toy room.

But even before we got all that done, my husband said, "We have such a peaceful house."

Looking around at the chaos and disorder around here sometimes would make you wonder. Knowing the worry and swirling thoughts in my head sometimes might not make you think of peace. Looking at our family calendar might not either.

But it's true. S grew up in a home that wasn't all that peaceful. In our house, there is no fighting. There is no yelling or slamming of doors. There is not uncontrolled anger or alcohol or many other things that make a home un-peaceful.

Why? Because we have arranged our lives in such superior ways? Because we are not busy? Because I am so organized and on top of things that there is never a moment's concern?

Please. You must know me better than that.

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. It is given from God. We cannot manufacture it ourselves. It is not a feeling. I don't believe it is solely dependent on our circumstances either. God is bigger than that.

Can our brothers and sisters in Japan feel peace right now? I pray that they will, even though their circumstances are anything but peaceful right now. God can give peace to His people. It is a fruit of the Spirit, if we are walking in the Spirit. And no matter what circumstances we are in....we are at peace with God because of the sacrifice our Lord made on the cross for us.

That is maybe the best peace of all.

So if you are in an unpeaceful circumstance today---house is a mess, kids are sick, bank account is empty, not sure what you are going to do about supper, loved one in the hospital, marriage on the rocks, etc. know that peace does not come from those things anyway.

Peace comes only from God.

"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