Peace

Its been a few months and to be honest for a while I thought maybe my blogging days are over. It feels like I’ve been treading water for a long time just keeping things going. It turns out having an extension with four small children was enough to tip me into an almost permanent state of overwhelm. I had thought when the house is finished (which we are pretty much there hooray!) I’d feel ok again and then I thought the Summer would be a nice reset but really life still feels a little in disarray.

I don’t want to be ungrateful because it is amazing we have been able to make such a wonderful space for us to enjoy especially while the children are all small but unfortunately it hasn’t brought the nice, neat, organised, calm home I’d dreamed it might. Don’t get me wrong it definitely has improved life considerably and made lots of things so much better and easier but I have not found peace in the building itself.

We are super pleased with it though! :)

I’ve been following the Crazy Cool Family Summer podcast and they’ve been going through the Fruits of the Spirit

Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-Control

Peace is the one that stood out for me maybe because its what I’ve felt I’ve most needed these last few months. They’re definition for peace was:

"resting in God's control of everything"

I kind of was thinking really I’ve not got many troubles and shouldn’t be needing this (I have a few friends in so much worse circumstances than me) but one thing that was said was

“As Mums Probably 99% of the time if we choose to match our peace with our circumstances it will be pretty chaotic but if we choose to focus our peace on Jesus we can be constantly at peace”

Not to take this as another thing you must do or conjure up yourself but actually asking the Holy Spirit for His peace. Like Jesus says in John 14v25-27

25“All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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."

The other day I had just dropped the kids off to school and nursery and came back to work from home. As I pulled up a friend was passing and asked me how I was and I ended up in tears with no real reason for why just the usual things that happen that can be a bit stressful like Sophie tantruming about going to nursery, not being able to find a hair brush or a water bottle or a pair of socks etc… but things that ‘normally’ wouldn’t phase me too much. Anyway my friend encouraged me and prayed for me and that felt like God providing His peace.

So maybe I am in season of life feeling a bit hectic and chaotic or maybe its just normal life either way I am seeking peace in all circumstances and in the crazy moments trying to remember to take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to fill me with peace.