Peace is a gift..

Let there be peace on earth.

Such a simple request.

The search for peace can lead people from country to country, to God or away from Him, from one partner to the next.

And yet, peace is a gift. Not the peace the world gives but true peace. (John 14:27). The night Hope was born Love took on flesh and brought Joy into the world to bring us Peace.

Peace comes from Christ. 

The power of stillness is found deep within the soul. Looking around causes confusion which leads us away from peace. Those concerns that cause anxiety and stress need to be turned over to Christ. Wholeheartedly and completely. No hanging on in hopes of trying to work it out yourself. Present your requests to God with thanksgiving and a peace that transcends all understanding is promised to you. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Let go of striving and experience His peace this Christmas!

Are you feeling the joy?

The night Hope was born Love took on flesh and brought Joy into the world!

Are you feeling the joy? 

After a dark night of the soul the dawn of joy is such a relief.  My husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this week. We've had our share of ups and downs over the years. Two stillbirths, one miscarriage, two live births, moving from the US to Russia, and then Russia to Belize and having all of our belongings stolen in the last move....what a journey it has been.

December 13th is our wedding anniversary. It is also the date that our first son was stillborn back in 1985 on our 4th anniversary. Sweet and bitter mingled over the years. Remembering the date brings us face to face with the realities of life. Part of that reality means facing death, facing heartache, facing fears. hoping for the best and accepting whatever comes our way.

Getting married at age 18 was a challenge. Armed with high school diplomas, optimism, and our love for one another we set out to conquer the world. Looking back on that rainy day in Wichita, Kansas I can see how young and naive we were.

It is only by God's grace that we have gotten this far.

As Christmas draws closer may you find reasons to rejoice. The wise men needed His star shining brightly in the heavens to point the way toward Him. Today just look into His word. Listen out for His voice if you're facing a dark night. His joy will come in the morning! I don't say that as a cliche. I say it from years of experience. Each storm we have faced has been followed by a rainbow. And each night is followed by daybreak. Although the night may be long, lift up your head and look to Him, and He will make your joy complete!

Where is the Love?

Loving unconditionally is hard work. 

Loving for a lifetime is a daily lesson in humility. 

It always amazes me how rapidly people on the Hallmark channel fall in love and resolve all their differences before the movie ends. 

A family misunderstanding that leads to years of estrangement. A rebellious child who runs away each time he's challenged to make a change in behavior. Arguments, hurt feelings, all resolved in 90 minutes so we can get to the happily ever after part, the part that makes us feel good inside. Sometimes leaving us wishing for the life those fictional characters are living instead of being stuck with life on life's terms. 

Where is the life of love for us real people, with real issues, and real relationships?

Each day in the counseling office, in the news, or on Facebook I hear about the pain that humans cause each other. Families, schools, workplaces, churches, and governments are filled with hurting people who hurt other people. 

And yet, It doesn't have to be that way...

Fortunately, the night Hope was born Love took on flesh.

He lived a life that forever models sacrificial unconditional love for all mankind. A life that revealed a perfect love that removes all need to fear. 

His standard of love requires making choices. Hard choices. 

Real love is difficult to find. Difficult to live out. Real love is an effort that reaches to the highest degree. Unconditional love doesn't ask, "what have you done for me lately?" Love in the highest degree seeks to meet the challenge to love in and through the hard times. 

May we each make the choice to love better, to love to the highest degree, to the end, one day at a time!


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