Everything Under the Son

As I sat in church Sunday morning, listening to the sermon, I discovered there is a long list of things that I am allowing to come between me and peace. Things like the stress of seeking out friendships, keeping a household running, making sure I am on everyone's good side. There is the stress of making sure there is enough...enough money to cover bills and food, enough time spent with my children and my husband, enough gas in the car. I invest much into the stress of keeping others happy. Stress about choosing a Bible Class, stress about shepherding group, stress about whether I am making true friends, or simply "surface level" friendships. Stress about the quality of time spent with my family, stress about the amount of time I spend in the Word, stress about my parenting skills, or lack there-of. Stress about how I look, or how much I weigh. Stress about my hair, or my wardrobe, or the car I drive, or being "in", or being "out" for that matter. Stress about health, mine and the health of those I love. Stress about whether or not my cancer will return. Stress about making healthy choices. Oh my, the list could go on and on.

But as I sat there, really listening to the words of the sermon, I realized that I am the only one who can change that stress. I cannot leave it up to others or circumstances, as the preacher stated so well. I have to be the one to choose peace. I have to be willing to say that though things may not always be perfect, that I am choosing to find peace. I am choosing happiness. Better yet, I am choosing holiness.

So I give up. I give up trying to please everyone around me, and sometimes that has meant pleasing everyone but myself. I give up trying to "fit in" all of the time. I give up obsessing over perfection as I walk the journey of motherhood/wifehood. I give up trying to keep the perfect home, with the perfect appearance. I will choose peace...I will choose happiness...I choose holiness...I choose You, Lord! I will do my best and let You handle the rest, Lord!

So Lord, help me today and every day, to choose peace. That means to choose You, Lord, for You are where true peace is found; peace that passes all understanding. Help me to lay the burdens down, and look to You. Help me to cling to Your ways, and to always choose peace. And Lord, help me to be an example of this choice for my children. Help them to see peace in me. Help me to teach them to make that choice every day, every hour, every minute. Amen.

And what about you? Is there something standing between you and the Lord, between you and peace?

I think we all struggle with the same things in life and yes, they all keep us from peace and from seeing God's Will for our lives. I struggle with my looks, my weight, the car I drive, the house being clean, and being the perfect mother just like you... I loved your blog. It encouraged me to find peace in all things. And that it is up to me to make the choice of peace. Thanks for being so open with your thoughts and feelings. Miss you! Wish you could move to good 'ole hamilton. I know we would be best of buds!!! We share thoughts, values, ideas, and emotions. Take Care and God Bless us as we search for peace!

Good for you! You are so wonderful and perfect the way you are. There's no need to try to prove your worth to anyone else!

Your Godly beauty shines though you all the time, Sista....

Thank you, Anne! It'a like we are the same person. The words in your post are all thoughts floating in my head and have become rather consuming over the last few months. You are so right...it is time to give up. The Lord is really the only one we should aim to please! I am so glad Shelley IM me and told me to stop over and read you today!! You have blessed me today!!!