It is a mixture of slow and rush here these fall mornings.
The nip is enough in the air that I’ve curled up in blankets with my coffee to meet with the Lord in the early mornings. It’s darker when I rise, and though my farmboy has usually started the coffee pot and been up for a while already, I find myself scurrying around in the dark from the warmth of the covers to the warmth of my spot downstairs.
Of course as most Mommy’s find, my time is scarcely long enough, and often I’m interrupted by little snugglers, warm from their beds, minutes before I’ve turned back to the Lord to pray for the day. Brendan wants a spot under the blanket, Lexie wants directly on my Bible, and Gabi wants a place on the arm next to me. Part of me is torn, wanting to just say the time hasn’t been long enough, I’m not ready, I haven’t prayed for peace and strength, and wisdom, yet. But as my Lord does with me, I gather their sleepy heads and whisper “Good Morning.”
Sweet moments dissolve quickly as I shoo them to the table, provide short order service, breakfast burrito, waffle, and cereal. Really? Couldn’t we all agree on one food? Should I address this Lord? Are they being selfish or am I? Lunches made, notes signed, bags packed, and I join them at the table for a few minutes together. The most sacred part of our mornings.
I open our book and read to them out of Mark. The story of Jesus, tired from a day of teaching, heads down to sleep on a pillow deep in the boat. You know the story. A storm sweeps up and the boat is rocking, swaying and taking on water. The disciples are not only afraid of drowning, they are a little bothered that Jesus could sleep while they all drowned. He awakes.
And I wonder if He is groggy. Does God in flesh feel rested when being awakened by crying children?
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’
They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark4:38-41
Always checking for comprehension, I asked my little diners a few questions about the story when LexieBeth turned to me.
“Mom, I know why the wind and the waves obeyed Him.”
“Really, honey, why?”
“Because He is God! AND He has the peace!”
This time instead of leading them to Him, they led me.
Didn’t I know this already? That I turn to him, obey him, because He is God, and he has the peace.
Oh’ yes.
He is the Prince of Peace, isn’t He. And that is exactly what He has left us. He is the one who does not give as the world gives, but instead gives us his peace (John 14:27). It is the very fruit of the Spirit within us. Peace.
I direct my thoughts back to the Lord, the stiller of wind and waves and fix my mind on Him. He has the peace.
He. HAS. the. PEACE.
that I need for this day, whether I feel prayed up or not. Whether the morning is Norman Rockwell or not. Whether we are showered, scrubbed, clipped, brushed, and tied, or not. All I need is to fix my mind on him.
“He will keep in perfect PEACE, him whose mind is STEADFAST because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
I love that PEACE…. HIS Peace that envelopes your whole being… He has the “HOW” and I need to remember, I don’t have to have the “HOW”… just FOLLOW HIM…
I love that little girl for many reasons – well, all four of those kids, really – but I love her comment. Thanks for that insight, LB.