Recipe for Peace

How often do you feel at perfect peace? I have to admit that too often I feel frazzled and troubled. This tendency recently became crystal clear. It also pointed to some bad lessons I'm teaching my children.

We are trying to sell our home. This process has been hugely impacted by a tree falling our on deck, a water main breaking in our bathroom, and--most recently--a determination that our septic system needs addressing. When the health inspector came to render his insights, the predictions left me worried and feeling we might never get the house sale-worthy. My mind certainly wasn't fixed on God, and worry replaced peace. 

In His grace, when I sat at my computer, God brought Isaiah 26:3 to my attention."You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." As I read the verse, God convicted me of the source of my worry--failure to keep my mind on God; failure to trust Him for helping with this. Moreover, He impressed on me the lesson I was teaching my children--to focus on problems, not God.

I gathered the children and admitted my fault. "Kiddos, I blew it. I know God has a plan for our future, and He is already taking care of us in it. He will guide this septic issue and make a way for us to do what is right. As I think about how good God is to us and how perfectly He can provide, I know He will take care of this, too. I know I sounded pretty worried. But, I talked to God, and I'm not scared now. I'm sorry I didn't go first to God. I'm more sorry I set such a bad example for you. Can you pray with me for God's guidance? Then, we'll sit back and see how God helps us."

Not only did peace pervade me--it pervaded our family.

As home schoolers we have so much to worry about. Are we meeting everyone's needs? Are we setting a good example? Are we preparing our children in all the ways they need? 

We have a promise to calm us. If we stay our minds on God and trust Him, He will keep us in perfect peace. It really doesn't get any better than that.

Tess Worrell writes and speaks to groups regarding issues of family life and living as a Godly woman. She and husband, Mike Worrell, live in Madison, Indiana, where they are in their 14th year of home schooling. She would love to hear your insights. Comment here or email her at tess@YourFamilyMatterstous.com. If you would like Tess to speak to your home school or church group, you can learn more about her speaking at YourFamilyMatterstous.com.