You ever had “one of those days”? Everything seems to fall apart, no one seems to care or answers you when you call? It seems like everything you touch seems to break? You feel like going back to bed and staying there? We all have….
I usually sneak to the backyard and quietly try to be alone with my thoughts and God. I remember the days when life seemed simpler and less crazy. When I was younger, the biggest issue of the day used to be whether or not I would have fifty cents to go swimming at the local pool.
As I thought about those long-gone days, I thought how much I would be missing if I were somehow transported back then. No wife, no family, no house, no great friends…..and tears started coming up in my eyes.
One time, as I was in the backyard, my daughter came outside and asked me if I was crying. Of course, I said “no, it’s the stuff in the air”. We both started laughing and I told her how much I loved her. We shared a few hugs, which opened my eyes to realize that I was a very lucky guy. Who cares that things were going bad that day? God had blessed me with more than I deserved. It was then a certain peace came over me. A little reminder from God that peace and joy are still available, even on “those days.” The scripture says:
“I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)
In John 14:15-31, Jesus shares with His disciples about the Holy Spirit, promising that this Spirit will help them carry on even after Jesus has gone into heaven. He talks about the how the Spirit equips us to keep persevering when we are stressed to the max.
Jesus wanted to remind them His peace would always be within reach. If we follow Christ, that promise of peace and comfort is for us today as well.
I began to pray and felt God’s gift of peace. I felt thankful for the blessing of family, even on the hardest of days, and especially for the blessing of God’s peace when things were going crazy around me. In every stage of life, there will be “those days”. Days when peace seems ...
