Tag: peace

Resist the Holiday Rush: Accept a Gift from God’s Table

Jeannie Waters38 Comments on Resist the Holiday Rush: Accept a Gift from God’s Table

Dear friend,

Pull up a chair and notice the gift on the table. The tag reads: “From: God, To: You.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is gift-tag.png

Yes, this present is for you. Take a deep breath and lay aside your to-do list for a moment. Ready?

Now, remove the ribbon. Lift the lid and move the tissue paper aside. Is that not the most beautiful gift you’ve seen in ages? What? You don’t see it? The box looks empty?

That’s the beauty of it, my friend. The box is empty by design. When I explain, you’ll love your one-size-fits-all, yet personally designed, very-much-needed present.

Rest is one of the many gifts God places on His table for us.  

Within this gift, you’ll find margins. Yes, margins. My first-grade teacher taught me to leave margins on my papers. They create a neat appearance and make the writing more attractive and easier to read.

What about margins in our daily calendars?

Margins are bits of unscheduled time for resting, creating or otherwise enjoying the day. Lately, I’ve read several blog posts about this topic. Maybe the idea of setting margins is popular because of our fast-paced lives.

We’re tempted to fill the days with countless chores and opportunities and then become frustrated when tasks are left undone, leaving no time for relaxation. Can anyone identify?

The best news? God designed rest for us because He knows we need it. Rest and margins are among the many gifts our heavenly Father gives us.

Imagine with me the table the psalmist described when he spoke to God,

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

Psalm 23:5 NKJV

How can we fight the spiritual enemies of fear, worry, doubt, and discouragement if we refuse God’s gift of rest until we become bone-tired?

 Jesus said to His disciples,

Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Mark 6:31 NKJV

Although I know Jesus rested and instructed His disciples to do so, I’ll confess. I’m a calendar crammer. (My husband may tell me to practice what I preach if he reads this post!)

Even when weeks are full, I slip extra events and chores into tiny pockets of time, erroneously thinking I’ll get to all of it. That practice creates stress and frustration I don’t need.

Here’s a better way.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 ESV

 We obey the last part of the verse, especially during this Thanksgiving month, but we often ignore the first part of the verse in our rush to join the Holiday Rush!

The lives of Christ-followers can overflow with peace and gratitude, but it’s difficult to embrace the peace of Jesus when we’re in a frenzy from a jam-packed agenda. In addition to prayer and Bible study, we need times of rest and relaxation. 

The lives of Christ-followers can overflow with peace and gratitude, but it’s difficult to embrace the peace of Jesus when we’re in a frenzy from a jam-packed agenda. Share on X

We need time to allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts. We need to savor His peace and allow it to fill our minds and direct our decision-making.

Two conversations led me to rethink the way I make holiday decisions.

A dear friend shared her plans.

I’m going to make and freeze a pound cake ahead of time, bake fruitcake cookies, and make nut cookies. That’s all I’m baking this year. I’ll buy some chocolate goodies and cheese straws. I want to honor the Lord and enjoy a calm, joyful time with my family instead of being exhausted when they arrive.

Another friend confessed, “I’m dreading the holidays already! Everyone comes to my house and it’s so much work. I want them to come, and I’m happy to prepare for them, but I end up exhausted and grouchy.”

Sound familiar? It’s a blessing to serve others, but it’s also hard work. Thanksgiving opens the door to the Christmas season and the rush is on before we know it. Food, gifts, programs, cards, dinners, company…and the beat goes on.

What can we do to prepare for a joyous, peaceful holiday season?

I hope you’ll join me and try this four-step process to prepare for the holidays, and more importantly, to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

Invite Jesus to Fill Your Heart with His Peace

  1. Stop.
  2. Sit still long enough to pray and seek God’s gift of rest.
  3. Ask the Prince of Peace to fill your hearts and direct your plans.
  4. Proceed with holiday plans and take intentional steps to share His peace with others. 
Planner, Flatlay, Calendar, Schedule

Look into your box again. Pull out those margins of rest and put them into your calendar. It’s refreshing to have time to pray, take a walk, doodle or thumb through a magazine, listen to music, sketch a picture, or read.

Take one more deep breath. (Surely, we have time for at least two a day, right?)

Like the margins on my first-grade papers, unscheduled time makes our lives neater and more appealing as the joy and peace of Christ fill our hearts and overflow to others. Time spent with Him and the addition of margins will bring smiles and fortify us to resist the holiday rush.

Your friend who’s learning to add margins,

Jeannie

Please share the ways you accept God’s gift of rest and add margins to your calendar. Let’s help each other.  

Cheese Slicer, Crackers, Appetizers

P. S. I promised to share holiday appetizer recipes, and I will soon. Until then, here’s a reminder of some old favorites.

                         Pigs in a Blanket

Cut canned biscuits in half or use crescent roll dough.

Add a mini sausage and some sharp cheddar or another cheese.

Roll up and bake at 375 until golden brown.

                           Stuffed Celery

Stuff celery sticks with pimento cheese.

Garnish with extra pimento slices.  

Use the celery leaves as a garnish to create a pretty appetizer plate.

                    Disappearing Snack Crackers

Spread softened cream cheese onto a round, salty cracker.

Add a dollop of green pepper jelly.

Coming soon: Hearty Olé Appetizer, veggie dip, pickle sandwiches, Cheese Crispies, and more

The Undertow of Fear

Jeannie Waters26 Comments on The Undertow of Fear
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When a dangerous undertow at our favorite childhood beach pulled my little brother, Ed, under the water and further from the shore, he almost drowned. Inside the vicious swirl of water, an older cousin fought relentlessly yet futilely to free Ed from the monster’s grasp.

Nearby sunbathers and swimmers mocked the cries of my loved ones because they weren’t far from the shore. How could they be drowning?

A young man, unseen by people on the beach, saw my brother and cousin from the second-floor window of his apartment. From a high vantage point, he realized they were in peril.

He ran down the stairs, across the hot sand, and into the salty water risking his life to save my brother.  

With hope of rescue, Ed grasped the hand of the stranger. The man who saw the whole situation from above, was a blessing from God.

As we navigate the waters of the Coronavirus, this vicious enemy threatens to ensnare our attention, fill us with fear, and rob us of peace.

Try as we might, we cannot escape the reality of the pandemic. Fighting the onslaught of the virus with knowledge and caution helps protect us. Health professionals and government officials work to stem the tide of this invisible enemy.

However, no human effort can turn fear into peace.   

There is One who sees all aspects of our lives from a high vantage point and knows our need for rescue and peace. The Lord Jesus Christ gave His life on Calvary that we might have a personal relationship with God once we confess our sins and surrender our life to Him.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:9-10

He’s holding out His hand to you today. If you don’t know Him, He offers forgiveness of sin and a personal relationship with Him now and throughout eternity.

To believers, He holds out His hand to offer peace and freedom from the undertow of fear.  

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 

John 14:27

When an overdose of news assails us with facts and predictions, what can we do to focus on the peace of Christ? When we hear of loved ones or others who are sick, how can we respond?

Here are ideas that help me:

  1. Create a prayer list. Include those who are sick, healthcare workers, and government officials.  
  2. Incorporate physical activity into your schedule. Walk outside or exercise indoors.
  3. Read Scripture daily and memorize verses about God’s protection and peace. Click the link to see a beautiful gallery of encouragement from my friend, MarilynNutter .
  4. Share good news you hear in this difficult time. Here are heart-warming stories I’ve heard:
  • A neighbor ordered food for a hearing-impaired man who couldn’t call or pay. This act of kindness provided a nutritious meal and gave peace to a gentleman anxious about dinner.
  • Two friends of mine made fabric masks for my daughter who is a healthcare worker. The masks gave her an extra level of protection and lessened her fear.   
  • With quantity limits and short supplies, one shopper purchased an item another person needed which relieved anxiety and resulted in gratitude.  
  • A teacher friend spent eight hours today helping students via email. She cleared up misunderstandings and explained new content so the education of her students could continue.  
  • My neighbor delivered groceries to an elderly couple relieving their fear of leaving home to shop.
  • Sunday School class members mailed restaurant gift cards to a lady who broke her leg enabling family members to purchase carry-out plates.

God offers peace to defeat the undertow of fear, and He allows us to minister peace to others.  

Please share how you seek peace from God or good news you’ve heard about people reaching out to others.

Bible verses are from the ESV.

Seeking and Finding

Jeannie Waters4 Comments on Seeking and Finding

It’s okay for a grandmother to pray for her granddaughter to catch a butterfly, right? I hope so, because I did. Our budding scientist received a butterfly net as a birthday gift and she was trying hard to catch one of the insects while spending the afternoon with me. Efforts at her house had failed.

She wanted so desperately to capture one and then release it. That’s why I prayed. I wanted her to be delighted by the fragile and beautiful creation she longed to study.

This precious girl first swooped the net in the air as she chased the winged creatures around the yard. Then, she concentrated on a wiser approach. She tiptoed around the lantana bush and carefully slipped her net over the unsuspecting insects when they landed on a flower. Six butterflies managed to escape Houdini-style, unharmed.

Finally, the aimed whoosh of the net and persistence yielded success! The spotted orange butterfly didn’t fly quite fast enough. Victory for our girl! She transferred the insect to a bug keeper and observed it through a magnifying glass. After sketching him in her science log and admiring him, she opened the container and offered him freedom. (Had I not known her gentle nature and love of all created things, I wouldn’t have encouraged this effort.)

As I reflected on my granddaughter’s diligent search and the thrill of discovery, I thought about what I seek each day. As I pursue my dreams, check off my to-do list, and attempt to steward the gifts and responsibilities God gave me, what am I trying to capture? What do I want most?

By way of confession, in recent days my major aim became accomplishing tasks on that never-ending to-do list. Frustration and anxiety filled the quiet places of my heart because I couldn’t seem to get things done.

Although I prayed and read my Bible, I became distracted by everything that fluttered by and failed to set my aim on what mattered most—my walk with Jesus.  At the end of each day, my net was empty. There was nothing to show for my efforts.

God promises His help in Isaiah 43:13.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’

But I wasn’t experiencing guidance and peace. I wondered, “Why not?”

My loving Lord reminded me to seek Him—not just the answers to my prayer requests–but Him. His presence.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

                                                                                                    –1 Chronicles 16:11

I wanted God to capture my attention, my thoughts, and my heart. I longed for awareness of His presence as David did in the wilderness when he penned these words:

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

                                                                                               –Psalm 63:1

We can pray throughout the day wherever we are, but yesterday, I needed time alone with Him. A lot of time. After asking a dear friend to pray for me, I cleared my calendar and spent the day reading the Word, talking to God, and listening for His voice. I took deep breaths, sang His praises, knelt to pray, and prayed as I walked.

I pictured Him as the Shepherd He is, guiding and protecting me. Instead of following my plan, I began to seek His. He restored my soul and allowed me to capture His love, His peace, His guidance, and most of all, His presence.

Does daily life sometimes distract you from what you want to grasp? Please share the ways God leads you to focus on Him.

Evening Rest

Jeannie Waters22 Comments on Evening Rest

Do you ever have difficulty “turning off” your mind when you lay your head on your pillow at night?  I know this happens to me from time to time. Our brains like to work overtime!

The human mind is fascinating. It can trap numerous facts, make decisions, and change focus from one second to the next. Our minds work so hard during the day that sometimes at night they just won’t quit. The brain can continue firing thoughts in bullet-like fashion until we “turn it off” and choose to let go of the day’s responsibilities. Otherwise, thoughts like these keep us awake:

When is my dentist appointment?

How will I ever get everything done? 

I wish I had helped her more.

I really shouldn’t have snapped at him when I was angry.

Did I move that frozen fruit to the refrigerator to thaw?

Sound familiar? I hope this post helps you remember to still those tumbling thoughts from your day and fall asleep peacefully.  Talking to God in prayer and remembering the thoughts below help me to rest peacefully. Maybe they will encourage you, and maybe you can use similar thoughts to help someone else who struggles to rest well.

Evening Rest

A vibrant peach hue glows through the branches as the sun nestles low in the sweet gum tree.

Firefly stars sparkle in the grass.

A feathered creature renders his solo announcing the coming darkness.

Crickets chirp with rapid yet peaceful cadence.

Frogs join the chorus of creation’s dusk anthem.

Day is done.

Finished.

Over.

Nothing more can be accomplished.

Let go of your troubles, child of God.

Worry not.

The dawn brings a fresh start.

Pull the sheet to your chin.

Close your eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Accept peace from the Prince of Peace.

Thank Him for today.

Listen as He draws the curtain closed on another day and whispers,

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

                                                                                                            –John 14:27 NASB

Thank You, Father, for designing days with an ending. Frustrations and missed opportunities abound, yet you offer mercy, forgiveness, and peace. May tomorrow’s words and actions be acceptable to You. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                                             –Philippians 4:7, NASB

What are your thoughts about peaceful rest? Please share in the comment section.