Cloaked with Peace

 

You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (WEB)

 

Rumbles of thunder broke the morning’s silence. Clouds darkened the sky and blocked the sun. Hidden crows screeched. Songbirds remained silent. Bees visited flowers but no other wildlife appeared. 

            

            Thunder grew louder and more frequent. Wind rustled trees on the far shore and then swept closer. Sheets of rain followed close behind. First it raced over the lake and then hit the shore and my yard. 

 

            Tall cypress trees shook heavy limbs as though trying to remove the blasts of water.  The smaller oak tree quivered when washed by the rain. Flower leaves jiggled with each drop. 

 

            Droplets coated my screen. Mist and cooler air caressed my arms. 

 

            Wind ceased and a soft rain replaced the torrents. Gentle, long waves traveled from shore to shore. 

 

            Like a giant watering can, rain refreshed grass, flowers and trees. The lake level rose. Much needed moisture brought renewal. 

 

            God knows His creation requires sunshine and rain to flourish. In wonder, I watched the shower and marveled at His provision. 

 

            A barrage of news reports begs us to become embroiled in one catastrophe after another which causes fear, anxiety and depression. 

 

            When I spend time with God each morning on my patio, I can forget the pandemic, protests, unrest, bombings and natural disasters for a while. Watching nature intently reminds me that God provides for His creation from tiny bees to me. 

 

            Just as the rain showers and refreshes creation, God’s love and comfort cloaks us with His peace. 

 

Jehovah-Shalom, the provision you give to Your creation includes us. Thank you for the comfort, love and peace we are given. Amen

            

A Stubborn Attitude

 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Yahweh. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (WEB)

 

The two-year-old toddler asked for a banana. After a couple of bites, she noticed fresh from the oven cookies. Suddenly, her fruit lost appeal and she asked for a cookie. 

 

            My granddaughter, Ashlyn, who was babysitting for the tyke said, “You can have a cookie when you finish your banana.”

 

            With a quick trip across the kitchen, she threw her banana into the trash can. 

 

            She looked at Ashlyn and said, “Cookie?”

 

            In her mind, the unacceptable situation had been taken care of. Get rid of the banana and get the cookie. 

 

            “She can’t get away with that,” I said. “You have to be firm.” 

 

            Ashlyn agreed as she pulled the fruit from the garbage. It had not touched anything unpleasant because of the peel so we decided it would be safe to eat. 

 

            Even with the banana nearby, the determined tyke continued asking for a cookie. 

 

            Ashlyn repeated, “You can have a cookie when you finish your banana.” 

 

            Back and forth went the same conversation. Finally, we decided on a compromise. If she ate two bites of the remaining banana, she would get her cookie. She did and enjoyed the homemade cookie. 

 

            As we laughed about her stubbornness, I thought about how I have done the same thing when God leads me on a certain path. I want to ignore His instructions and get my own way. I tell Him what I want. He tells me what I must do first. Back and forth we go. Sometimes I continue to plead my case and decide I know best which often brings painful consequences. Other times, I listen and follow His plan with better results. 

 

            Hopefully, I am learning to listen when God leads me and not argue. 

 

            Have you ever had a similar experience?

 

Jehovah Nissi, You can see what lies ahead and where the victory will be. Help me learn to listen and follow your plan and not mine. Amen 

A Still Voice in the Tumult

For God alone, O my soul wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV)

With eyes closed tightly, I prayed for our country as we ended a year of turmoil and faced a new year with more unknown situations. But a constant roar of traffic on the interstate broke into my prayer. Humming from small planes joined the din of traffic. The racket distracted me. 

            Then my focus changed when I noticed more pleasing sounds near me. A chorus of songbirds formed a symphony of charming tunes. Their entertaining melodies pushed the clamor into the background. My mood instantly improved and thankfulness removed distress.            

            At first I only heard the loudest, annoying noises. But when I concentrated, the softer, more pleasant ones soothed me. 

            Month after month, the pandemic brought frightful news. Groups protested. Riots overtook cities. They all wanted to be heard and blared their agendas around the United States and the world. Turmoil overtook normal conversations and the media. 

             One catastrophe hit after another. Outbursts overshadowed reason. Confusion and mayhem became common. 

            Nevertheless, in the midst of chaos, there were acts of kindness. Families discovered more ways to connect. Loved ones grew more precious. 

            We can choose to listen to the destructive voices or search for God’s peace and tranquility in the midst of pandemonium. 

            When I listen, the still, small voice of God rises above the tumult. He offers hope and encouragement in the pandemic and whatever lies ahead. 

Loving Father, speak to us in our distress and confusion. Amen

I wrote this a few months ago but just posted it. 

       

 Shattered Pieces

Rebecca Carpenter

August 11, 2021

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

 

Crash! From my office, I hurried to the kitchen to see what caused the sound of breaking glass. Nothing was out of place. 

 

       Then I walked into the living room. A large African basket had fallen from its spot at the top of the entertainment center. It certainly couldn’t make the loud racket. 

 

       As I moved closer to the basket, my foot discovered small, sharp slivers. I noticed white fragments strewn across the wood floor and rug.

 

       The basket hit a decoration that stood on a lower shelf before it plummeted to the floor. A corner of it broke off into pieces too small to repair. While I gathered the ceramic like shards, I realized what had caused the mishap. 

 

       The lady who cleaned my home earlier that day had evidently moved it when she dusted. The circular basket stood upright at the back of the top shelf but must have slowly slipped and then dropped which hit the decoration. 

 

       The broken piece wasn’t as expensive as other favorite items on my shelves. However, it was meaningful to me because of the Scripture on it. 

 

       For a second, I thought of throwing it away as rubbish. Then I realized God gave me a story.

 

       The verse from Philippians 4 gave me comfort when I was stressed. “Be anxious for nothing… 

 

       We can easily slide into situations, relationships, or habits that cause us to fall. Lives can be broken but not beyond repair. Prayer changes things.

 

       Jesus can take pieces of our shattered lives and make something beautiful. 

 

Father, thank you for taking shattered lives and turning them into something magnificent. Amen