Perfect Peace

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."

I'm up too late, tonight.
I have a stuffy nose.
And I'm eating mini Three Musketeers.
(don't worry, I'm counting the points, forheavenssake)

Just finished my BSF lesson for this week.

The fact that I started it and finished it, BOTH, tonight, is somewhat embarrassing. And accounts somewhat for the late hour. That and the fact that I had to make a 9:30 trip to Wal-mart.

I'm really struggling to get these lessons done, this year. Life is busier and more chaotic than it's ever been. And Isaiah takes some concentration. And quiet. And often more brain cells than I seem to have.

This week's lesson made me think about why I haven't had that perfect peace, lately. Why I hesitate to rely on the Lord?

Do I really trust Him?

Not just for eternity. . . or the long-term. . . or the big picture. . .

But for RIGHT NOW?

THIS MOMENT?

When things aren't exactly what I would like for them to be?

When the Christmas shopping isn't done and the list is long and I'm not sure how to buy practical, fun, useful, economical gifts for everyone?

When my children are choosing to do stupid (embarrassing) things that I know they will look back on and regret? Never mind that I made the very same mistakes at their age.

When dear friends are dealing with HARD health issues?

When valued relationships are strained, distanced, challenging?

When I'm tired? Have too much to do? The schedule isn't figured out (what day is it, again)? The meals aren't planned ahead of time? The grocery shopping has turned into daily Wal-mart runs?

When the kids aren't listening and obeying? When I don't WANT to take the time to talk things through? Do the hard thing? Persevere even though I'm ready to quit?

Perfect Peace.

A Steadfast Mind.

I don't know about you. . . but I desperately NEED a steadfast mind. Maybe I'd quit forgetting why I walked into the kitchen in the first place (when I should be in bed).

There's only one place to find this peace.

And to give you a clue, it's NOT in my ability to get it all together, finish everything perfectly, parent without error, or love others in my own strength.

(but for some reason I usually try all of that FIRST)

The peace is found in trusting a loving, sovereign God who deals with us on His terms in HIS time for HIS purposes.

He's given us life. He's given us everlasting life with Him (if we will receive it).

I'm pretty sure I can trust Him with everything else, too.
(not EVEN the little things, but ESPECIALLY the little things)

Praying that you will find that perfect peace and that steadfast mind as you seek to TRUST the Lord this week.


"O Lord, thou are my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise they name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."

"For thou has been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. . . lo this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."