A Heart at Peace

Luke 24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

Over nine years ago, my youngest son was just five years old. While I bent down to put fresh sheets on the bottom bunk bed, he was sitting on the top bed, leaning over watching what I was doing. I cautioned him to move back from the edge and I continued with working on the sheets. Within seconds I heard a loud thump as he fell to the floor.

After taking him to the emergency room we discovered that he had completely shattered his spleen and was needing to be flown by medi-vac helicopter to a bigger hospital a little over an hour away. In the midst of all of the excitement we had not had time to call anyone to be praying about the situation.

I remember his tiny body being strapped to a board as they prepared him for transport. As he left, we did not know what would await us when we saw him again. We did not know if he would be in surgery, or even be alive, because the situation was that grave. He had some internal bleeding as well. If he remained at the current hospital, the only option was surgery and being on antibiotics the rest of his life.

As my husband, oldest son and I watched the helicopter take off, I was overwhelmed by the peace that God gave me. I knew that it was a potential that I would not see my son again on this earth, but yet I felt at perfect peace and knew that God was in control. I knew I could trust Him no matter what the future outcome held. I experienced Philippians 4:7, " And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

After a week in the intensive wing of the hospital, he came home and had to have limited activity for at least a month. Not an easy job for an active five year old. When we returned back to the hospital at the end of the month for a follow up appointment, we were able to see the before and after MRI shots of his spleen. The first was completely in pieces. The organ wasn't even distinguishable. The second though, showed the spleen completely repaired and back in one piece again. We knew it was the power of prayer and God that healed him.

Even though it is many years later, I still have not forgotten that peace that God gave me that day. I can't help but think about Mary so many years ago when she saw her son die on the cross. She saw the brutal way He was treated. Even though she was completely distraught, I can't help but wonder if God didn't give her peace as well. Perhaps God whispered to her heart to be at peace and just trust in Him. She couldn't see or know the outcome, but God could.

Perhaps you have something going on in your life right now that is giving you worry or grief. I encourage you to seek out the Lord and ask for His peace in the situation. He gives peace that the world can not understand.

ACTIVITY
Look for a way that you can reach out to someone this holiday season that is having a difficult time and is in need of some peace.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, I pray for your peace when I am in the midst of trying situations. Help me to see things through your eyes, and not my own. Amen.