Within These Hours

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." 






Yesterday, July 17, 2014, became a  "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." Remembering that title from a children's book*, it repeated itself in my thoughts as I listened to the news, read text messages and e-mails, talked to friends and scrolled social media. Within those hours I am shaken.



*



A flight plan deleted from the sky.

Terrorism vs. sovereignty.

A biopsy and a prognosis.

An addiction and a bus ticket.

A skateboard and life support.

Borders and tunnels

Ideals and bombs.

Grief and utter confusion.

Obama, Putin, Hamas, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, rebels, robbers, murder, abuse, border-crossers, gangs, cancer,  dementia, hospitals and chemo, substance abuse, missing persons, divorce, I could go on...

Yet, within those hours, I met with my writing partner and we submitted our goals for our 6th year leading "Aspiring Writer's Forum," a unique small group ministry...

and know His peace.

Within these hours, I continued to read scripture, pray longer, walk 3 miles, finish Chapter 10 of a manuscript in progress, watch the finches gathering seed in my butterfly garden, go grocery shopping, and look forward to two high school reunions...

and know His peace.

Within these hours, I stood at my kitchen window and watched the Swallowtail butterfly land on a lavendar hibiscus in the middle of a thought-prayer,  asking You for guidance.

                                                          (Swallowtail,  camera shy)

I know Your peace.

Jesus Christ, crucified on the cross: A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!  Yet, we rejoice in that day!
Within these hours, stretched over three days, He overcame DEATH, even death on a cross.

Because of His sacrifice, He turns our horrible into hopeful, our terrible into triumphant, our no good into grace, and our very bad into victorious beauty. 

and We can Know His Peace!  

Stay in prayer. Share His hope, have dialog, compassion, ministry, stay informed and stay strong. Worship in quiet moments and Read His Word!  Christ came to give us Life and Hope in this ever-changing, dark and frightening world. It's that eternal perspective I've talked about so many times.  Christ shall Overcome!



Lord,  News bombards us, frightens us, makes us mad, sometimes shuts us down. Every human being,  ever created; You took all our sin, every "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days" and forgave!  You ask us to believe, love our neighbor and help us to know that same kind of forgiveness. Somedays really are just rotten and in that I am thankful that grace is always around the corner, asking for it,  receiving it and giving it as well. You never said it would be a piece of cake. What You did say:  You would never leave us nor forsake us. This, I believe. Within these hours Lord, help me to rest in Your peace and to be a peacemaker.  Thank you Lord that I can come to You with my deepest fears and draw on Your strength and pray for others in pain. Here our prayers, Oh Lord, Amen.

                                                                      ~~~  ~~~  
* Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst