Terri's Wellspring

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:38-40

One of my favorite storytellers is Bailey White. She is a gifted Southern writer who speaks with a raspy distinctive voice. She told a story about living with her mother during a warm summer night in Georgia. Her mother often opted to sleep out of the porch during these hot nights to keep cool. This particular night while Bailey was sleeping she realized that a thunderstorm had arrived complete with high winds, lightening and rain. She jumped into action knowing that her mother had planned to sleep outside. When she reached the porch door she saw the storm’s fury with rain and wind. And then she saw her mother, who was lying motionless on the couch on the porch. She called her name as she feared that her mother was frozen in fear and unable to move in the midst of the high winds. As she approached her mother, she heard a familiar but perplexing sound, her mother’s snore. Her mother was not gripped with fear; instead, was sound asleep, complete with snoring, in the middle of the storm. She awakened her mother to let her know about the storm. At that point, the Mother reassured her daughter that it was just a storm that would pass.

It was a powerful reminder of the ability to be confident and peaceful even during the natural and figurative storms of our lives. No doubt her mother’s decades of living had nurtured her faith to realize that our lives have cycles of storms that both come and go. We can choose to be fearful or we can select a path of peace that is rooted in our firm belief that our Father is still control and that he will never leave us nor forsake us. The familiar passage of scripture tells a similar story of the disciples crossing the lake to the other side when a storm arises that seems to threaten their lives. We have heard before about how the disciples awaken Jesus who was sound asleep in the bottom of the ship. He awakens and commands the waves to be still but also asks the Disciples about their faith. It is a compelling story about the ability to have peace, rest and faith during a storm. Whatever we are facing today, we can stand in faith that our God is in control, providing protection and grace to allow us to reach our destination safely.

“Be still, and know that I am God! 

I will be honored by every nation.

 I will be honored throughout the world.” 

 Psalm 46:10

Creating stillness in your life requires some effort. The world is intent on movement, speed and at a minimum a lot of busyness. All kinds of commitments pull on our time, our resources and our thinking. I imagine a place of stillness as a space where we are focused yet relaxed in the current moment of quietness. It is quiet space where your body and mind are at a state of rest, having full confidence in the God we serve. This is a place of peace, a place of trust and faith in our Father.

Quédense quietos, reconozcan que yo soy Dios.
¡Yo seré exaltado entre las naciones!
¡Yo seré enaltecido en la tierra!

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

We receive so many blessings each day.  The blessing of life, health and strength are precious gifts.  The added promise of peace and joy in our minds and soul, as we focus on God is a gift beyond measure.  It is amazing to me to know that the Lord can provide peace and joy even when circumstances in our personal lives can be full of uncertainty. We can have faith that whatever arises today that God can provide guidance, comfort and healing.  We pray that God will use our blessed life for His glory and in service to His people.

The Serenity Prayer — God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. –Reinhold Niebuhr

We have all heard it, read it and maybe even earnestly prayed the Serenity Prayer. Reinhold Niebuhr wrote these words during the first half or the 20th Century which continue to have timeless relevance today. It contains both insight and emphasis of the inevitable ambiguity of life events. We spend most of our time working to control our circumstance to make life manageable. It is those things that we can’t contain, schedule or control that represents a challenge to our faith. Recognition that some things happen that we simply have no control over is a step forward in acceptance. Other situations occur where we can make a difference. It may mean stepping out of our comfort zone but as believers we were sent to be change agents to accomplish God’s Holy will. Knowing the difference is the key.

God has good plans for our lives and He can take all the experiences of our lives good and bad and work them together for our good. Walking life’s journey, we are compelled to put our trust in our Heavenly Father. The Serenity Prayer is focuses on the peace that we can have along the way.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13 GNT

So many people are in search of peace. They are looking to achieve even a short time of being, that is absent the worry and anxiety that the world has to offer. They seek it in a lot of places and things. You can see the earnest effort being made throughout our society. We are so blessed today that God is our source of not only peace but our hope and joy. Our heavenly Father is faithful to provide the fruits of His Spirit as we put our trust in Him. He provides daily peace and even in the middle of the storm and in the difficult situations. His peace surpasses all understanding.

What a blessing it is to experience His peace. My prayer today and in the days to come is that God’s peace will abide in our hearts and minds. And that peace will be evident to those around us so that we can be an effective witness of blessed living through His son Jesus Christ.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.  John 10:10 (New Living Translation)

I often think about God and His gift of His Son to us.  Jesus came that we might have an abundant life.  When I think about God’s abundance, I imagine having more than enough. An overflowing supply of the fruits of the Holy Spirit: peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.  This translation describes it as a rich and satisfying life. Another says that He came that we might have everything that we need.

What an indescribable blessing!  This journey into abundance begins with accepting His Son and grows as we mature in our walk with Him. Wherever we are along the path, I believe there is always more available to us based on our walk with Him. As we pray, give praise, study His word and walk in His ways, I believe this satisfying life grows.  I am so thankful for a risen Savior and that each of us can begin this journey when we open our hearts to Him.

“But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”   Matthew 8:27

One of my favorite storytellers shared an experience about living with her elderly mother during a summer thunderstorm.  It was warm summer night in Georgia and her mother had opted to sleep outside on their porch.  A loud thunderstorm began and she went to the porch to make sure that her mother had come inside.  She was surprised to see her mother still laying there.  She immediately thought, her mother must be petrified with fear and unable to move and that she must go out and help her.  As she approached her, she was shocked to hear the familiar noise of her mother’s snore, she was asleep.  Through the thunder, lightning and rain her mother was peacefully sleeping through it all.  When awakened by her frantic daughter, the mother shared with her daughter “It’s just a storm”.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”   John  14:27  (New Living Translation)

The Lord helped me to cancel my daily worry subscription. Like the morning newspaper, it would come with a delivery of a new set of things for me to be concerned about. Scenarios of calamity in various areas of my life – work, finances, health and family would unfold in my mind. Concern would grow into worry and that would escalate to fear. Sometimes the delivery would come in the middle of the night, robbing me of both rest and a peaceful mind. When I realized that none of these story lines were based on truth or God’s word, I asked God for help. I was reminded that even though Jesus came that we may have an abundant life, the enemy comes to kill and destroy our lives with lies about who we are and our situations.

This portion of God’s Word focuses on the gift of peace for our minds and our hearts – “So don’t be troubled or afraid”.  What a precious gift, that can only come from God.  We are so blessed to be able to accept this gift and to reject the worry that may be so evasive in our lives. So even when the enemy is tempted to bring a new supply of worry to my door, I can remind him that my subscription is cancelled.

He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.    Psalm 23: 2    (New Living Translation)

One of my favorite past times is to sit near water.  It has a calming effect for me just to watch water move along its natural path.  I have spent many days just sitting, reading or sleeping next to the ocean.  Despite its strength, the consistency of the waves are a reminder of God’s power and majesty.   We are blessed that God creates such beautiful spaces across His earth. 

I am so often so busy being busy that I don’t take enough time to witness His beauty and find a soothing place for my mind and soul.  I am asking God to lead me to more places that provide rest and peace as I continue on life’s journey.

May the Lord of peace give you His peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.               II Thessalonians 3:16

Striving to stay in peace takes effort on our part.  Focusing on Christ, He promised to keep us in perfect peace.   Choosing not to worry,  praying to God and thanking Him for what He has already done, He promised Peace beyond our understanding.  

As His children, this peace should be evident to others in our peaceful words and actions.   Staying in Peace, I can share His peace at all times and in every way.