The Missing Peace

Take 2. I say that because my first draft my husband suggested I sit on for a few days. Not for accuracy. But just to give me time to think about it. He was right. His suggestion was echoed at church on Sunday with the reading from Philippians 1:27 "Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Take 1, I'm ashamed to admit, did not. So, this is a rework.

Have you ever tried to put together a jig-saw puzzle when there is one piece missing? Let's say that piece wasn't missing...that you have one piece left in your hand but you are told that it will only fit the puzzle if you turn it over. So, you scratch your head because the back side of the puzzle does not fit the picture but you assume that YOU are the one who has erred. And you twist and turn the piece positive that it will fit. Most people, long before now would have said, no, this doesn't make sense and turned the piece over and found VOILA!!!! It's taken several weeks for me to accept the truth, but I have finally turned that piece over found the missing piece. The picture is now complete. And it makes sense.

I have found my Missing Peace. And it's a little bittersweet as I received a Christmas card wishing me "deep peace", and for that to happen, which I think it has, I had to accept an ugly truth...one that I have fought against. I don't do peace well unless I can fit pieces together. Luckily He seemed to understand this need in me to resolve things. He has a plan. Trust Him. This goes back to Wednesday's post, Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a mans plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps". We have our wants. We have our "needs". But He determines what is in our best interest. When I think about what I need from people in my life I think my needs are fairly simple. I think, first and foremost, I need to treat and be treated according to the golden rule. "Do unto others AS YOU WOULD HAVE them do unto you." I want honesty, I give honesty. I want fairness, I give fairness. I want strength of character, I try to be strong in my own character. I want loyalty, so I am unswervingly loyal in return. I don't do well with hypocrisy or cowardice. Have I set the bar too high? Maybe. Or maybe I am no longer willing to settle for less than I give...less than I deserve. Am I perfect? NO! Far from it. I know where I have inadequacies and I struggle with them daily...even hourly. But as I am not perfect, neither do I expect perfection from others.

Whatever the reason...whether I'm right or wrong (which I will readily concede, I could be), I am at peace. Finally.

So, what is The Missing Peace?...I ran across this poem about 10 years ago and it has always resonated, lately more so than ever:

I used to get quite anxious when my life just didn't fit,

the pattern I imagined when I planned it bit by bit.

I used to search the world to find the missing "piece" to me;

then God revealed His Love and Life by dying on a tree.

Now when twists and turns - life's puzzles - test me without cease,

I open up my heart and then I find....The Missing Peace.