Perfect Peace

(By the way, all photos I use on my blog are my own, and most appear on my Flickr stream)

Who doesn't want a little more peace in their lives? I sure could use more peace (is there ever enough?) when it comes to the stress I feel daily in the ins and outs of life, putting the necessary effort into my marriage, raising our three beautiful (but at times SO exhausting!) children, homemaking, and finding enough time in there to put adequate energy into homeschooling. On top of that, I am a sinner, saved by grace, who struggles at times to leave behind the selfishness, neediness, and grumpiness of my former self.

Isaiah chapter 26 has just the answer for those needing peace. The truth is that we cannot find true and lasting peace in anything of this world, not in eating right, or exercising, or saving the earth, or saving the whales, or "going green." I'm not saying that those things are wrong, but sometimes they can take the incorrect place in our lives. True and lasting peace can ONLY come from the One who created us, and who is the Author of Peace.

   Isaiah 26:3  "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

My best friend has an 8 year old daughter who loves to read. Most anywhere you find her there will be a good chance that she will have her nose in a book. When she is really into a story, it takes nothing less than an atomic bomb to get her attention. "Bella, Bella, BELLA!" her mama sometimes has to say just to get her to look at her. This is what comes to mind to me when I read this verse. I want my focus to be so fully on Christ, that nothing (not selfishness, or anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed, or tired, or cranky) can change it.  

Lord, please help me to remember to keep my mind focused on You, no matter what else is going on in my life.