Perfect Peace

The story goes that some painters were challenged to depict the concept of

peace. One created a glorious scene of quiet, still beauty. The other portrayed a

storm in full force, and, in a tiny nest scarcely sheltered from the fierce weather, a

bird calmly waiting out the wind. Whose picture would you choose?

While we often long for the quiet moments, it seems chaos is more often the

reality, especially with small children. When the closest thing to quiet time is your

two minutes in the bathroom (with or without little ones, depending), intentional

stillness may seem like a fantasy.

If this season of your life feels like a wind storm, take courage. The Lord knows

where you are, and the priceless work you are doing raising the babies he gave

you. Instead of guilt, invite him into your personal pandemonium: offer up toddler

songs as thanksgiving, dirty dishes as gratitude for groceries, clean laundry as

praise for renewed grace.

And remember, he is not impatiently waiting for you to get it together. He is the

lee in your storm, shielding you, his masterpiece.

You keep him (and her!) in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he

trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 ESV*)

*Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV(R) Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version)(R), copyright(c) 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations [marked NIV] taken from The Holy Bible(R), New International Version(R). 

copyright(c) 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.(R)

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.