A FEW MOMENTS OF NEEDED PEACE

Quietness is not really a reality in our house.

Even once everyone has gone to bed, the neighborhood is up till the early hours of the morning. Once the neighbors have gone down for the night, or what's left of it, the local guard wanders around, blowing his whistle at unpredictable intervals and volume.  

So when is it I have those moments of peace?  For me it is in the early morning before my kids wake up, before the neighbors have yet begun to stir their children for school, and when the guard has decided that enough daylight prevails so that he can stop his incessant blowing.  During those minutes, peace reigns. With coffee in one hand and the word of God in the others I can get ready for my day and how desperately I need those minutes. 

I cannot wait for when I can truly enter his rest for eternity.  But for now, may I not be hardened by any sin in my life and may he bring me into his rest, even when my home is not a place of quietness and rest. Even now I can enjoy his peace.

"Be Still, My Soul"

by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?

Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay

From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Resting in Jesus, 

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