That God…He’s so funny sometimes.  Like when we pray for something and He lets us find it by giving us the exact opposite.  Ever had that happen???

I’ve been praying for peace lately.  I haven’t had much.  It seems like everywhere I turn I find chaos and conflict – my two least favorite things.  So I keep praying for peace, and what does God do?  He scares me half to death.  There’s nothing quite like a good possibility of your worst fear becoming reality to put things into perspective.  For the past few days I’ve been focused on that possibility and the other stuff has become obviously insignificant.  Then yesterday I find out that I don’t have to worry for now.  I felt this enormous sense of relief.  I slept last night – for the first time in a few nights – and kept sleeping until late this morning.  After I’d been up for a while it hit me.  I have peace.  The scare made me realize what was really important – and what wasn’t.  And even after the scare isn’t a scare anymore, the other things have still ceased to matter as much.  Peace.  From fear.  Only God could be that smart.

Then, as if He hasn’t already impressed me enough, I flip to my daily scripture verse in the kitchen and it’s none other than John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  I can almost see Him winking.