Peace

I just got home from a Bible study written by Beth Moore about peace. It was really eye-opening to realize how much of my life has been spent in "keeping the peace" as opposed to being a "peace maker". Being at the core of my person a relatively non-confrontational being, so much of my life as a wife and mother has been spent keeping a lid on situations that if I had just let the Lord deal with it immediately, my life and those in the middle of my world would have been better too. Her premise is that peace keepers have two motivations for their actions, fear and distrust. How true that has been for me.

I'd like to think that in the past few years I've learned a few lessons, and I think I have, but I do see the absolute truth in her naming those as primary motivators, at least for me. I have always felt that if I kept things calm, I could eventually fix anything that was happening. How incredibly arrogant of me! A quote from Mrs. Moore "fear keeps us in turmoil, that is no way to live." How true, how true.

Anyway, today I'm praying that I will allow God to deliver me from my fears and distrust and begin to walk in His peace, His light, His love for me and mine.

Back from Savannah

We were in Savannah over the weekend. What a beautiful place, such wonderful people. Hubby was ministering in a mostly Spanish-speaking congregation which is always fun and a little nerve racking, since he speaks no Spanish, and I understand quite a bit but am too slow to translate for him. Also, my Oklahoma/Texas drawl does something to the Spanish! So I listen in English and Spanish and try to make sure he uses terms that are easily translated...then try to make sure that the Spanish translation gives the "flavor" of what he said. I am exhausted at the end of the meetings. It's hard enough for me to keep up in English, much less in two languages. He had good translators and the people seemed to receive his teaching well. We hope to go back another time to visit and minister.

Saturday night we went downtown to do a little sightseeing and have dinner. It was so amazing down by the Savannah River. Cobblestone streets which I guess have been there since the town was settled. The place was hopping with tourists and natives alike. One of the sights we beheld were a bunch of college age (looked like to me) young men and women who were dressed in antebellum costumes. Very appropriate on the historic streets! Unfortunately we didn't get to see much more of the town on our trip this time...next time I want to see some of the famous squares that are just a little ways off the river.