PEACE

John 14:27 ESV

When I was a younger adult I thought peace was overrated. Honestly I couldn’t see what the big deal was all about.

Then I had children…mostly boys.

BAAM. Jab followed by fisticuffs. Blood. Slamming doors (and that’s what they did for entertainment).

I did have one girl and thankfully she is the oldest. Looking back I don’t see how she put up with the lack of peace but she did.

As wild as it was I’ve been told that a household filled with girls is about shouting, yelling, and crying. God knew exactly what I needed.

But, here’s the thing. I wouldn’t change a minute of it. Not only did we have way too much fun, at the end of the day when everyone was in bed I came to a point where I really really appreciated the quiet.

John 14:27 tells us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

I’m not talking about the kind of quiet that is just lack of noise. I’m talking about peace that only God can give.

I’m not sure how it happened, but I did pray and ask for peace.

God gave me wonderful glorious peace. It really was the kind of peace that passes understanding.

It was marvelous.

So I came to a point where I looked forward to all the jabs and laughing during the day and the glorious peace that God provided at night.

I loved it so much that after the last of the Mohicans left the nest I sought friends who loved to laugh and friends who understood the peace that only God can give.

Then, after the kids finished college a wonderful thing happened.

We started to grow exponentially. Four children suddenly became eight and eight became eight more.

Now there are 16 of us, and all of them really are the joy of my life. Love and laughter abound!

Since they all live in different states we’ve yet to all be in one place together at the same time, but on several occasions two groups of eight have been together.

Now…I have plenty of peace but I really look forward to the love and laughter when we get together.

It’s exactly what I envision heaven will be like!

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com