“But if my hope is in a sovereign God who never changes – if my peace and my pace come from him and if I believe he is who he says he is and if I trust him to shepherd and shape my calling and the conditions of my life – then I’m less likely to get rattled. God speaks light and flings stars and multiples cells and sets the fetal heart beating. He’s way ahead of online cultures that morph and mushroom overnight. He’s bigger than politics, bigger than physical safety or danger, bigger than what’s trending today and forgotten tomorrow, bigger than both the landscape and the velocity of change. He’s bigger than fear.”
{From “Dragons and Dirt” by Dalene Reyburn}
I can get rattled and lose perspective. Sometimes I rush my kids to bed because I’m tired. I’ve been known to hurry people out the door or into a store because I want to tackle a to-do list of tasks cluttering my mind. Unexpected detours can make me frazzled and I don’t like to be late.
But I know God has me on a journey toward peace.
The journey has been long. And while I don’t think it actually has a starting point, I can pinpoint first noticing it in my soul when we were trying to conceive a baby and couldn’t. There are landmark moments, where I’ve posted signs in my mind as I look back.
Peace came when I let go of trying to have a baby and turned my attention to adoption. Peace was present when I made schooling decisions for my kids, finished writing projects, and talked with friends about real life. Peace comes in the presence of God.
My life hasn’t lacked peace entirely, but I’ve been rattled more often than I care to admit. God is teaching me more about what living with peace as my perspective means. I want to mark more moments on this journey with evidence of peace and joy.
For me, peace is so often related to my pace.
I like to be on the go. I like trips and celebrations. I like being with my people. And I like dreaming of what’s next. But I can’t be like that every day. I need that part of the journey to have some pit stops included so I can catch my breath, re-establish my perspective, and process the action.
I know when my pace slows, God gives me a chance to understand peace – the peace that only he can give, the peace that passes my understanding. {Tweet that.}
Whether I’m moving or slowing or stopping, God’s there. He’s not surprised with my personality that sometimes seems it’s made up of contradictions. He’s not caught off guard when I need to regroup and refresh. He wants me to see him – how he’s prepared me, how he’s gone before me, and how he was with me in the past.
I wrote 24,049 words in my ebook and used “peace” in the title. And here I am still learning about this five-letter word and how really it’s the center of so much else for me.
God is using the foundation of where I’ve been to prepare me for what’s next, even if I don’t know what that looks like. {Tweet that.} But he is sovereign, never changes, gives light to the darkness, creates life, and promises to be with us.
A few housekeeping notes :: I’m going to write more about “Dragons and Dirt: The Truth About Changing the World – and The Courage It Requires” by Dalene Reyburn soon. This book surprised me with how much it’s speaking into my life. I’m marking whole paragraphs that I want to remember and come back to. That quote above is one of them.
Also, I have a super fun announcement on Sunday {my 36th birthday!} so be sure to come back then. I hope you’ll be glad you did.
I’m also linking up with the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood Gathering.
Want more insights? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”
What an awesome quote, Kristin! Peace and pace are 2 things I desperately need help with. I can't wait to hear more about that book. Peace is definitely related to my pace as well. I can completely relate. Happy almost birthday, my friend!
Great post Kristin. Joy and peace is something that my hubby prays for me, probably more than anything. Loved your tweetable statements, powerful and fresh air for this rushing mama.:)
Love what you are sharing about peace. When He calls me to be still and know – and peace comes. You are so right that peace is related to my pace. And… I hope you have a very happy birthday on Sunday! 🙂 Thanks for sharing- I'm always encouraged by your words. Peace, friend.
Thanks, Katie! By default I'm a rushing momma too. So grateful God is faithful and patient with us. xoxo
Thank you, sweet Karen. I'm glad you could be encouraged and appreciate your kind comment and birthday wishes!
The book is a good one. I'm so glad I'm reading it right now. I like how peace and pace are so intertwined and the words are so similar. Nerdy comment, I know. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Candace!
Yes! I loved that study! Thanks for bringing it to mind again. I'm going to write a review soon, but, yes, add that book to your list! 🙂 xoxo
Peace, definitely something I could not obtain on my own. No matter how hard I tried (and I have before), God is where I find peace. Sounds like a beautiful book. Congrats on getting so much writing done. Our pace certainly can get in the way of our peace, if we let it.
Oh, I try too … silly me. 🙂 Writing has given me a chance to slow down, reflect, and process life. So grateful for that time. Thanks for being here, Kim!
"For me, peace is so often related to my pace." Me too, Kristin. But often I don't notice until I slow down…then it's a revelation about how much better I do and feel when I'm not scattered and spinning. So grateful God keeps giving us those tangible lessons that help us grow.
Yes, sometimes I don't realize I'm scattered and spinning (such an accurate description!) until I'm about to fall down. So grateful for God's grace to continue learning. And so grateful for your encouragement and presence here. Thanks, Tiffany!
As you know, we were separated at birth, so it's no surprise that I am nodding my head along with your words. I have been learning much of the same thing – when I am rushing I am so NOT enjoying life. (Sidenote: I just learned that life is supposed to be enjoyable.) I want so much to recognize that when God is slowing me down it is because He doesn't want me to miss something. Something as huge as how much He loves me.
Yes, I'm right there with you! Our world tells us if we slow down we're going to miss something, but, really, it's the opposite with God. I love our in sync our lives are … now, if we could just live closer together … 🙂 Love you!
I'm focusing on this word peace now that I have just read your post. It's only 5 letters and one syllable, but it's a powerful word! I, too, like to be on the go…and even when I need a break, that break can be hard to find. In the chaos of life, though, it's possible to grab hold of peace. And I find that when I slow down, I feel the presence of God in a profound way.
"Peace" and "joy" are the words rocking my world lately. And they're such tiny words but oh-so mighty. So glad you could be encouraged, Laura! (And P.S. … are you on Twitter or do you have a blog page n Facebook? I was looking for you!)