The word is peace

It’s the Christmas season and we banter words like hope, joy, love, and peace around. They’re written on Christmas greeting cards, on wall hangings, on ornaments and decorations. We sing Christmas carols about peace on earth, good will towards men.

Last weekend, those of us who call ourselves Christians celebrated the second Sunday of the Advent season.  Our pastor delivered a message on peace, one of the Advent themes, after the candle representing that theme was lit.

As I absorbed Pastor’s message that we can encounter peace amidst the most difficult life circumstances, my own experience with the peace that passes all understanding came rushing back to my mind. Thinking maybe my readers would be interested in my story of peace, I share it here in hopes of providing a glimmer of encouragement this holiday season.

“Because of the favor of God, we can have peace in the midst of chaos.” ~Crystal McDowell

Fifteen years ago, I apprehensively sat in a physician’s office while he delivered news I didn’t want to hear: “I’m sorry to tell you that the biopsy results came back, you have cancer.”

I think most people have thought about how they would feel or respond to that diagnosis and, especially if you’ve had loved ones who have experienced the “C word,” you imagine you know how they feel. But you don’t. Not until you actually experience it yourself.

First comes shock. Then comes denial. Then comes what I can only name as fear. Will I recover from this disease or will I face my own mortality way sooner than I ever imagined?

For me, many thoughts raced through my mind because just seven years prior to my diagnosis, my family and I watched my mother endure cancer treatments for less than a year only to succumb to that horrible, aggressive disease.

Fear wrapped itself like a boa constrictor around my mind. Had the cancer spread? Would I survive long enough to watch my youngest child, my son, graduate from high school, or see my daughters find their own true loves and marry, or ever become a Nana to grandchildren? How would my husband handle all of those aspects of our household that I managed while he traveled with his job?

Those thoughts and more caused me sleepless nights. My doctor scheduled scans, tests, and surgery and assured me that the prognosis was good because he believed it was caught early enough.  But still, my mind tortured me with “What if…?”

Somehow though, months before I heard those dreaded words from my physician, I had sensed this ordeal had been on my horizon.

Backtrack six months earlier to Christmas time 2004. I worked for a non-profit organization, a Christian ministry. Every December, staff and volunteers gathered for an annual Christmas party, usually at our executive director’s home. And every year, she prayed ahead of time for the Lord to give her specific words, which she would print on slips of paper, place in a basket, and pass around to us.

When we took our turns randomly picking out one of those slips, we’d see our “word” for the upcoming year and as the new year progressed, we noted how God used that word in our lives. Prior to receiving our new word, we shared how last year’s word had manifested itself. Heartwarming stories often brought tears to our eyes but also provoked laughter and always lifted our spirits.

I watched as my co-workers and volunteer friends opened their words, smiling and laughing as they read sparkle or joy. In the past, I never had received words like those; I usually ended up with challenging ones like growth or transition. And that year wasn’t any different.

I took a breath, hoped for a comfortable, pleasant word, opened my slip of paper, and read aloud the word – peace.  “Aww,” everyone oohed and ahhed, exclaiming what a nice word to receive. I smiled and yet…my heart did a major flip flop and seemed to sink to the pit of my stomach while my mind warned me, “Look out, something major is coming your way and you are going to need God’s peace more than ever.” Really?!?

My heart and my mind were correct. Six months later, I faced uterine cancer and I trembled with fear. My other tests and scans came back normal but I still needed major surgery and depending on further testing, probably to undergo some kind of treatment after six weeks of recovery.

Prior to my scheduled operation, I met with my co-workers one morning for prayer before our workday commenced. During that prayer time, those dear ladies encircled me, laid hands on me, anointed me with oil, and stormed the gates of Heaven in prayer on my behalf.

As they prayed, I began to feel something…something like an intense, overpowering sensation…something welling up inside of me….something I couldn’t name filling my chest, almost squeezing the breath out of me. It seemed to erupt from deep within me, from the depth of my inner being, and with each prayer my friends spoke, something was being forced upwards in my body. I actually felt an intense urge to open my mouth and let whatever it was escape with my breath.

And as I did exactly that, I felt that ominous, weighty something depart from me and an entirely different sensation filled me – completely filled me – with comfort, with tranquility, with assurance.

It was simply peace.  That word that chose me six months earlier.

Looking back, I believe what vacated me that day was fear, sheer terror at what I faced ahead. What filled its place was peace – that indescribable feeling that God’s Word says passes understanding.

Through surgery, hospitalization, recovery, and radiation treatments, I felt utterly at peace, confidently assured that I was being held in the palm of God’s mighty hand, no matter what happened. That sense of peace never abandoned me, even when usually claustrophobic me was locked alone in a radiation treatment room, having to lie perfectly still while cancer cell killing radiation entered my body. No anxiety, just serenity.

Peace. The kind of peace our pastor, who has battled cancer himself and was recently declared cancer-free, understands so well. The kind of peace, he reminded us, that enters in the midst of our storms, when we place our faith in the One called the Prince of Peace by the prophet Isaiah.

“A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do is to enter into it.” ~ Dwight L. Moody

Right now in this 2020 Christmas season, it’s safe to say millions of people across this world are caught in the middle of chaotic storms of life. I tell my story to offer encouragement, not because I boast about surviving cancer, but because I understand how we may rest assuredly in peace despite a raging storm. And I wish that peace for others.

As grateful as I was for the positive results of surgery, radiation treatments, and normal results from continued cancer checks afterward, I am even more thankful for the lesson I learned about peace in the throes of intimidating, overwhelming circumstances.

Peace was my word for the year 2005, but I think it’s my word for every year. I find peace where it always was, is, and will be – in my Savior Jesus Christ. My hope is someone reading this may experience that same peace through God’s grace.

“The Bible is full of God’s promises to provide for us spiritually and materially, to never forsake us, to give us peace in times of difficult circumstances, to cause all circumstances to work together for our good, and finally to bring us safely home to glory. Not one of those promises is dependent upon our performance. They are all dependent on the grace of God given to us through Jesus Christ.” ~ Jerry Bridges

©mamasemptynest.wordpress.com 2020

That place called serenity

When you first see the word serenity, what thought comes to your mind?

Peace.  Tranquility.  Calmness.  That’s the pleasant path that word takes me down.  This past week, the photo challenge theme has been this word.  Serenity.

If serenity were a place, where would it be? 

For some, it might be seaside.  Basking in the sun on a sandy beach somewhere with the steady rhythmic roar of ocean waves lolling you to sleep.

For others, it might be standing on a mountain top after a long, strenuous climb just soaking in a magnificent view around you. 

Still others might find serenity in the midst of a deep wooded forest surrounded by grand towering trees where the only sound might be the gentle rustle of leaves when a whisper of wind comes along.   

Maybe serenity is found in your own backyard garden or thousands of miles away at your favorite vacation destination.  Serenity might not even be a real place but instead a spot that only exists in your imagination.

It started snowing this week, enough to accumulate a bit.  We haven’t had a lot of snow this winter season so far, not like some years.  Of course, winter isn’t ready to call it quits just yet.  Some of our biggest snowfalls in the last few years have descended upon us in February.

But snow silently falling on everything in sight gives me a peaceful feeling.  I love to watch snowflakes dance through the brisk, cold air and flit and float until they cover the world with that blanket of white.  I love to catch snowflakes and quickly inspect them to see if I can distinguish each different design before they melt from the heat of my outstretched, gloved hand.

There’s no doubt about it.  While some folks despise winter, I find solace in it.  I find peace.  I find tranquility.

Yes, I think you can find serenity in a season.  And for me, it’s winter.   Slowing down and hibernating a bit when the air turns cold brings a sense of peace.   A snowfall can turn a noisy, bustling day into one of quiet and solitude, temporarily bringing the craziness of life to a halt.   

Curled up under a fleecy throw with a hot cup of tea in the silence of an empty nest watching the world outside my window turn a fresh, clean white provides serenity. 

So can taking a peaceful walk on a snowy winter afternoon or evening, whether it’s here at my country home, down a wooded path, or even in a suburban neighborhood.

Serenity is where you find it.   I find it in prayer.  I find it in silence.  I find it even in the dead of winter.

What about you?  Where do you find serenity?  Is it a real place or just a state of mind?

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.”  ~ John Boswell

©2015 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

War of the clouds

This morning, I witnessed a battle scene.

The scene was so striking, it grabbed my attention and I could not take my eyes from it.   A dramatically painted picture  etched itself into my mind and didn’t leave my thoughts all day.

Summer time delivers many bright, sunny days of hot weather here at Mama’s Empty Nest.  In the last couple of days, some blessed rain blew in, shoving the high humidity out, resulting in more delightful temperatures and a sweet, refreshing breeze.

On my trek to work today,  I couldn’t stop staring at the sky.   As I buzzed down the highway, I noticed the fast-moving hedge of dark rain clouds streaking across the vista.   I continued watching them because they were speeding along like a freight train.

And that’s when I noticed that in one direction bits of fluffiness in the form of cottony clouds dotted blue sky and sunlight streamed through that part of the atmosphere.  But the sinister looking freight train was rolling through rapidly from the other direction!  The dark clouds, in their faster than a speeding bullet mode, collided and clashed with the bright side of the sky swiftly overtaking it  – simply annihilating it in the battle.

Those ominous clouds actually devoured the fleecy ones.   Darkness swallowed up the sunlight right before my eyes.   That scene unfolding in front of me reminded me about the stark reality of the world we live in.  Evil – the dark side, if you want to quote Star Wars – spreads its foul fingers wherever it goes trying to consume and ultimately destroy goodness or light.    And that happens each and every day here in our world, not just in movieland.

As a believer in Christ, I tend to view life in spiritual ways, especially when God paints such a vivid picture in my surroundings as He did this morning.   Witnessing those rain clouds slamming into sunshine reminded me that we need to be on guard, ever watchful for evil which can so easily overtake us.  But even more than that, we must be vigilant in prayer.

1 Peter 5:7-9  ~ “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Just yesterday, I was gifted with an opportunity to enjoy a short chat with a lovely fellow Christian who I haven’t seen for some time.  She’s enduring a difficult trial right now, yet amid her own heavy load, she inquired about my family and shared that she had been praying for us. Her face lit up with a smile and praise when I revealed how her prayers had been answered.

Conviction washed over me as I realized that I have not been as diligent in prayer for this dear one as she has been for me.  She disclosed to me that during this storm she feels such a strong sense of peace which she’s certain is from God.  Then she stated something that didn’t surprise me at all.   Several well-meaning people in her circle of friends told her she wasn’t being positive enough because she has accepted the difficulty laid before her and is meeting it with complete faith and trust in the God who has saved her.

People don’t get that, she told me.  They think she’s not “thinking positive” when she tells them she will meet whatever outcome God has in store for her and they don’t understand or like what she says.  As a realist myself, I totally get it.

There are certain events we encounter in life that just happen.   You can try to use the ‘power of positive thinking’ until the cows come home, but it might not change your circumstances. That doesn’t mean you must stop asking God for intervention, or healing, or a miracle, or whatever may help the situation.  But you also should beseech Him for the strength to endure, the ability to completely trust His will for you, and the peace that passes all understanding.

That’s faith.

The power of positive thinking alone can’t move the rain clouds away or stop them from coming just as it can’t protect me from evil touching my life.   The power of prayer to the God who is in control of the universe is a different story.   And the power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, is the real source of the peace and strength needed to endure life as it comes.

This morning as I began my 9^th page in Chapter 8 in my life’s book entitled Opportunity,  I’m certain my heavenly Father demonstrated these thoughts for me as I watched that war of clouds in the morning sky.

© 2011 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Eye of the storm

It’s quiet at our house today.   That’s nothing new.  Country living contributes to the lack of noise.

The stillness of the winter season makes it even quieter.  Snow blankets the ground and continues to fall each day.   We’re not really getting socked in with the snow storms other areas of the country have received, just a steady diet of the white stuff.

Our calico kitty hates the snow – won’t set one pretty paw in it.  So she passes her days nestled up in a furry ball, soundly sleeping in a few of her favorite spots around the house.  Even she seems subdued though,  content to just lounge and rest and occasionally utter her pathetic-sounding tiny “meee-ahh” when she desperately wants a kitty treat.

Of course, the empty-nesthood that is our home is noiseless except when hubby turns on the television to catch a favorite show or watch his James Bond movies on DVD.  So it seems incongruous that in the seeming tranquility of our home, I feel as though we are entrenched in the midst of a ferocious storm.

It’s not a physical storm that threatens us; it is a storm of disconcerting circumstances.  But that doesn’t make it any less painful or frightening or discouraging.  The suddenness of storms and the intensity of thunder, lightning, or bursts of gale-like winds often unnerve us.

Our middle daughter has always been terrified of storms.  When she was very young we lived in “Tornado Alley” in the Midwest and a sudden onset of thunder would send her scurrying for the safety of Mom or Dad’s arms.   If a storm brewed up during the night, her little body shot out of her bed and before we could even react, she cringed between us in our bed, looking for a sanctuary from the storm.

That’s how I feel today, like I’m in a safe place, a sanctuary from the storm that hovers around us.  Somehow, we remain calm in the midst of this tempest.   It feels like what I imagine it would be like to float along in the eye of a hurricane.  All around are the threatening explosions of wind and rain, but in the eye is serenity.

The eye in our hurricane is the trust we have in our God, who is so much more powerful than any storm’s outburst could ever be.  We stand on our faith, centered on God because we know as believers in Christ Jesus, we are the apple of God’s eye.  And in His eye is peace.

I know this is what He wants me to learn today in Chapter One, Page 29, in my book called Opportunity.  I know this with certainty because He has confirmed that through the written word and in song.  All day, the music box part of my mind has been playing “I’ll Praise You in This Storm,” a song by Casting Crowns.

And then I opened up the inbox of my email account to find an encouraging devotional sent to me by a far-away but very dear friend.  The title of the uplifting story was….you guessed it… “Praise Him in the Storm.”

Are you troubled today?  Is there a storm brewing around you too?  Listen to the words of this song.  No matter our circumstances, God is always there to help us through.  May you find you can praise God also in the middle of your tempest.

©2011 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Air That Refreshes

Thursday, 21 July 2005

It was so nice and cool last night, I slept with my windows wide open. I LOVE fresh air!  Especially cool fresh air.  It always makes me happy and thankful. 

So I am getting better, not entirely normal, but closer every day.   It’s been 5 weeks tomorrow since my surgery and I’m starting to do more every day type of things.  YAY!

Yesterday I actually went into my office  for a little while.  I got there in time for our weekly prayer session, which always is a meaningful and profound way to start your morning. 

It blessed me to see the ladies there, to get hugs and feel loved.  I even did a little work at my desk until around lunchtime, when my abdominal muscles said,  “Enough! Time to go home and lay on the couch!” 

Unlike my son, who lifts at the gym to get nice abs, my abs are sad.  Of course, it didn’t help that before my surgery, I was so out of shape.  But now, after having my belly sliced open – and I had 28 staples in “ma belly” to prove it –  my abs are REALLY sorry. 

They look sorry too – too many scars!  But which would I choose, scars on my tummy and no cancer or really fine-looking abs?  No brainer, definitely the first.  I’ll take door #1, no more cancer, thank you!

More news is that my radiation treatments are postponed for a little while.  Now that actually made me happy. More on that later.

I’ve been feeling a little anxious about the radiation, which is one of the reasons I am reading said book above.  (I’m still also reading Lies That Go Unchallenged, which I love).  But this book, subtitled Finding Peace in All Kinds of Weather, is helping me cope with anxiety.  It all comes down to one word – peace – and that peace comes only from a relationship with Jesus as your personal Savior.

So peace is my byword. Actually, it is MY word for the year 2005.  Way back at Christmas time, our staff and volunteers were given “words” for the upcoming year. 

When I opened mine and saw the word “peace” I was puzzled.  At first, I thought, “That’s strange,  I have peace.  There’s nothing I’m not at peace about.”  And then I got scared.  And I do mean scared.  I thought to myself,  “There is something major coming my way this year and it’s not going to be something I want to deal with.” 

Well, there you have it.  The something major was cancer.  Wow, if you don’t need peace after that, there is something wrong with you! 

I can’t even begin to count how many get well cards I’ve received with personal notes from people telling me they are praying for me to have…you guessed it….peace.  Hmmmm…get the drift?  Wow, God is so awesome.  He knows what you need before you do and then He supplies it, even during challenging and unpleasant times.

So, back to why I’m happy about my radiation being postponed.  First of all, I am having radiation as a precaution because the reoccurrence rate for the cancer goes down from 5-7% to 1-2%.  My radiologist is going out-of-town the week my treatment was supposed to start.  Since my treatments must be in succession once/weekly for four weeks, they are being postponed until later. 

Now you may think, oh, that just gives you more time to worry about it.  But that’s not the way I am thinking, praise God!  The way I’m looking at it is this gives me more time to pray and give the worry all up to God before I do have radiation treatments. 

AND, isn’t God good? My family might be able to take a little vacation now.  Before, there was no way it was possible with everyone’s schedules and my treatments.  Now there is a possibility!!!  Can you say vay-cay??  Yes!  I’m hoping and praying we all can go, get hotel reservations, etc.  I just see this as one of those “all God’s doing” things.  And I am soooooooo grateful.

So here’s the key word for today – PEACE!  Add it to the last key word, thankfulness.

Now just for frivolous sake and copying Punky’s blog, here’s a silly survey…

TWO YEARS AGO
1. I was worrying over my daughter in another state staying at a deserted college dorm and then with a family I didn’t know.

2. I was worrying over my other daughter beginning her senior year of high school and where she would end up going to college.

3. I was worrying over arguments with my son.
4. I was cranky, hot and tired all the time.
5. I had one lovely week of vacation at the beach on the Outer Banks. 

ONE YEAR AGO
1. I was proud to see one daughter graduate from college AND get a job.
2. I was proud to see another daughter graduate from high school and prepare to go off to college. 

3. I was teaching my son how to drive and we both survived.
4. I was still cranky, hot and tired all the time.

5. I was relaxing on the beach at Ocean City, MD on vacation.

 YESTERDAY
1. I got up early!
2. I went to work at my office for 3 hours.
3. I got another get well card in the mail and more hospital bills.
4. I went grocery shopping for the first time in 6 weeks with two of my kids,  which was like shopping with two 5-year-olds but fun.
5. I ate a yummy Italian ice and watched TV with Birdie (#2 daughter).

TODAY
1. I got up early again!
2. I got my hair cut and got to chat with my hairdresser/friend.
3. I went to the high school w/Bud to talk over his scheduling conflict with the guidance counselor.  The downside of going to a smaller school is you can’t always schedule all the demanding and challenging courses you want because there is only one section for them and they don’t fit your schedule. 

TOMORROW I WILL
1. Get up early for the third day in a row.
2. See my husband who has been out-of-town the last couple days.
3. Hopefully plan a vacation!
4. Make a good dinner.
5. Read, read, read and maybe watch a movie.

FIVE ITEMS I’M OBSESSED WITH
1. My family
2. Teaching young people  sexual integrity and abstinence
3. Internet Spades (it’s addictive)
4. Teapots and tea (if it’s hot, it has to be really hot and if it’s cold, really cold!)
5. Checking my email several times a day

SNACKS I ENJOY
1. Chocolate
2. Soft pretzels
3. Werther’s Originals
4. Tangerine sorbet from our local gelato place
5. Hot fudge sundae at Dairy Queen

FIVE THINGS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT
1. Jesus
2. My family
3. Ice cubes
4. A watch
5. Fresh air

 

THINGS I WOULD BUY WITH $1000
1. A vacation
2. A treadmill
3. New family room furniture
4. A paved driveway
5. I don’t know what else

 

 FIVE BAD HABITS I HAVE
1. Being cranky
2. Worrying
3. Getting stressed over unimportant things
4. Being too critical
5. Yelling when I’m mad

 

 FIVE THINGS I WOULD NEVER WEAR
1. Anything tight
2. A 2-piece swimsuit (remember those sorry abs?)
3. Little ol’ lady clothes or teenybopper clothing
4. Overalls
5. Really short skirts or shorts

FIVE SHOWS I LIKE
1. Lost
2. The Amazing Race
3. Dancing With the Stars

4. Old game shows on the game show channel
5. Everybody Loves Raymond

FIVE PLACES I’VE LIVED
1. Here
2. Southwest
3. The ‘burbs in Midwest
4. Pacific Northwest
5. the country 

FIVE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Mom
2. Hey mom
3. Hey you
4. Mama
5. Mrs. M

FIVE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. I’m goofy and fun (at least I think so).
2. I’m friendly.
3. I’m witty (at least I think so).

4. I’m a good judge of character.
5. I’m not so cranky any more!

THREE THINGS YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. I’m sometimes too critical.
2. I worry too much.
3. I have panic attacks at the dentist.

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. English
2. German
3. Um….English again.

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. Life without God
2. Strange noises at night
3. Complete darkness and tight, over-crowded places

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. Tea
2. Something to eat
3. My calendar (because I would forget all appointments)

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. Old plaid shorts that I haven’t worn for a while
2. Sleeveless shirt to stay cool in
3. My glasses (don’t go anywhere without ’em)

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS/MUSICAL ARTISTS:
1. Relient K (my kids’ taste has infiltrated mine)
2. Michael W. Smith (saw him in concert)
3. Billy Joel (saw him too)

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. Love
2. Honesty
3. Respect

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. Nice hair
2. Kind eyes
3. Warm smile (hey, I’m old and I’m married!)

©2005 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Comments (1)

Thanks for the info.  I’ll have to read it sometime.  And I’m glad you like the pictures.  Those are two of my favorite pictures from Scotland.  I took the top one in the evening at Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness.  My friend Pat took the other one while we were visiting Sterling Castle in Sterling.

7.21.2005 – Dorkwad