Finding Peace

Finding Peace

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. -Psalm 85:8 ESV

October is here again!! Seems that these seasons are coming too fast! Pumpkins, fall colors, and cooler weather all adds up to the essence of “fall”. I have never known a month that I loved more than October at the beach. When we were youngsters and Daddy bought the new little beach box beside the ocean, I remember we could throw open all the windows and have a fabulous breeze blow through the house. Our deck was the perfect place for seeing shooting stars.  We slept with the windows open and could hear the waves tumble to the shore. The woolen blankets would feel damp by morning with the salt air pouring in. Hot chocolate never tasted so good in the mornings to take away the chill.  We always woke up with great expectations of good things each day because the beach never disappointed us. Even the rainy days were wonderful. Things were simpler then in the 60’s and we didn’t require so much stimulation to be happy like it is today. Building sandcastles, playing cards, putting together a puzzle with the family are wonderful memories that still carry me through. Now I see families playing with their cell phones over a meal in a restaurant. They aren’t talking to each other. Children can’t look out the windows on a car ride but instead have videos and movies they watch until their eyes glaze over.  Television must be on at all times to “provide company”. No one seems to like to be still and quiet.

God’s Peace can be found in those still and quiet times. But to the young generation, there doesn’t seem to be a value in quiet silence. I think it may be looked upon as a punishment to sit still and certainly silence can be so boring or so I have been told!! With so many conveniences and electronics available to make life easier, it appears we are busier than ever.  How much can we cram into one day? And at the days end, do we fall asleep in peace or are our minds rehearsing what we will do tomorrow? I suggest it is the latter.

October is such a beautiful time to be outdoors. Turn the phone off. Take a walk. Sit on the porch. Walk the beach. Spend time to remember what a peaceful mind and heart feels like. Rediscover the sweet sound of nature and your own heartbeat. When we are quiet, God is then allowed to speak to us. He drops ideas into our minds. He plants seeds on the inside of us so we can dream big. Fill the void with Him and everything else will fall into place. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. –Philippians 4:9 ESV