Memories and the Power of God's Peace

It has been seven months. Seven months of peaceful skies, snow, sun, wind, clouds, and the varied landscape that follows a wildfire. As the seasons change, we adjust to what the hills around our town look like; from the bare, blackened slopes dusted with snow, to muddy and closed roads during logging season, and now the gently greening spaces and wildflowers. But even with this healing process and the passage of time one view of flames or whiff of smoke can bring it all back in a moment. 

The other day I left work to drive home and saw smoke rising from the mountains. Property owners were burning slash piles in the cleared areas. Slash piles. Harmless, in a controlled area, and hardly unusual. But it was a bit disquieting for more than myself. However, it wasn't until this morning, when I was on my way to work and I saw smoke settled in the valley, smelled the acrid edge on the air, that August 2015 came back to my memory in full. A sense of fear welled up inside and I remembered all the pain, all the prayers. It quickly quieted as I reminded myself of my God's goodness and all the mercy He has shown. For He has shown us mercy. 

What I find funny, is that I was not physically affected by the disaster. My home was not seriously endangered (though we had a brief scare), my family was safe, and life went on. But the effects of what happened here are still deeply rooted inside me. Disaster (in any form) touches people in different ways, but it still touches them. No one escapes it. My reaction makes me think of those who did lose their homes and are still rebuilding...I feel for them and I pray for peace. 

The peace I pray for is more than any emotional reaction. It is a peace that surpasses understanding. It is well being that fills the whole soul. It is God's peace. I have learned a thing or two about this peace in recent days. 

I'll admit, yesterday was a bad day. I let all the cares of my life, my to-do list, and the weight of responsibility crash onto me like a landslide. Fear, worry, stress, self-pity...the whole rigmarole. But...strangely, when I sat down last night just plain tired of being worried, and committed it all to God, I was able to write a list of roughly twenty good things that happened in that day. Things I could praise God for, answers to prayer, and joyful occasions. But I had been too busy looking at myself and my inadequacy to see all the goodness of God. 

 I repented. Gave it all back to Him. Praised Him for the miracles He wrought in one day. Rejoiced in the well being/peace I have in knowing Christ. Will you? 

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests me made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your  minds in Christ Jesus." 

~Philippians 4:4-7

 Shalom!