My grandmother and I spent time together. Talking, laughing and playing, Enjoying the time of playing games and putting those puzzles together. Sometimes we would go into town for garage sales to see what we can find. It was funny because I would be embarrassed at the hair curlers she still had in her hair, but she didn’t care. Now I look back at how she created wonderful moments and memories for me.
We would find 1,000 piece puzzle with a picture of a barn in the middle of the field. Buy it for 50 cents at the garage sale and then race home to put it together. It would take us about two to three hours to finish that puzzle. Sometimes, we would miss that one piece of the puzzle. Then did we truly have peace over the missing piece?
How often do we run around in our lives trying to get what we need and want? Proud of our accomplishments, may be discouraged of what we didn’t accomplish. There is a radio to keep us company, a cell phone to help us stay in touch, a television to occupy our time and computers to help do our homework or even write this blog. We are tired all the time. We do not get much sleep. We feast on things, which are fast food. There is something missing.
There is something that is missing and it is called the missing puzzle peace. Peace is missing out of our lives. We run here and there, and we get bent out of sorts when the line doesn’t move fast enough. Someone cuts us off on the freeway. We become frustrated because we cannot stay focused on our work or unable to finish it.
We have to find that missing puzzle peace in order for us to function the way God has intended for us. We get sick, depressed, lack of sleep, overweight, and many other things because we do not take time out to slow down and enjoy the moment. Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you (Job 22:21).
A heart at peace gives life to the body (Proverbs 14:30). Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid (John 14:26-28). The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). Therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Romans 14:19). For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22) and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Finally, meditate on God (Psalms 119:15). Understand his words and meditate on his wonders (Psalms 119:27). Take it to Christ when you are wearied and burdened because He will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Sometimes we have to push things that distract us aside, go up to a quiet place, meditate and pray (Matthew 14:23). Doing this has helped me to be able to do as Mother Teresa had said, “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”
