A week of Peace {wonder-ful wanderings}

Peace.

The second candle lit on the advent wreath… A call to be still and know God is God and He is in control. 

Unlike with hope last week (where the theme seemed plastered all over my life) peace was a little harder for me to come by.  In fact, I may or may not have had a texting conversation with a friend earlier this week about being frustrated with God that despite asking (maybe even begging) for peace it seemed my prayers in that situation had fallen on deaf ears.  I had found myself accepting that for some reason our good and faithful God saw it fit to not change a situation right now, okay. But couldn’t He at least come through with the peace He promises all throughout Scripture!?! Was that too much to ask?

Like a child with a parent, demanding typically doesn’t produce the desired results and I found the same to be true of my heavenly Daddy.  It seems maybe He was actually LONGING to give me peace but He knew I wasn’t able to receive it until after I finished my “temper tantrum”.  

As I continued to wander through the week, eventually peace settled in. 

My Prince of Peace sent me a note through these words written on the bottom of a Christmas card:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

He sent a faithful friend to encourage me and challenge me. 

He showed up in little kid laughter and a gorgeous sunset and in staying up way too late reading by the Christmas tree.

I just needed to remember that our Prince of Peace is also the Emmanuel, God with us… Always…Whether I sense his nearness or not, He never leaves. 

Unlike princes in fairy tales, I don’t have to sit around waiting for my Prince of Peace to come riding in to slay the dragon and rescue me… He already did that. And this Christmas, if I let myself, I simply get the joy of anticipating the day when there will be no more tears or pain or suffering or death..(Rev 21:1-5).

Only peace. 

Come, Lord Jesus.

Come Prince of Peace.

Come!