My Ten Thousand Acres

What does peace look like?

 

A clean space?

 

What does peace sound like?

 

Quiet classical music?

 

What does peace feel like?

 

Light and free?

If so, I have no peace. In addition, I have no hope of having any in the near future. I am Mom.

Mom needs peace to do her job well. She is doomed.

Unless....

Unless this definition is a lie.

My peace, should I be able to choose it, is the middle of ten thousand acres of nothing but a natural creation. A rock to turn over, a butterfly to chase, a river. Peace like a river.

No noise, no deadlines, no clutter.

Simply nature doing what it was created to do. Displaying its majestic beauty in daily routine. God shows Himself to me in nature.

But I live in suburbia. On a budget. With four children. Smack dab in the middle of life.

I yearn for it, pray for it, seek it, may even give my right arm for it. Peace is essential.

Peace is not losing it when everyone is having a bad day. Peace is smiling when the mortgage is due. Peace is sleeping at night. Peace is life.

God has given me peace. He has given me my ten thousand acres, even though I possess no title.

Today, it was park-hoping, watching the children run through falling leaves, stepping over acorns and walnuts. Spying on daddy long legs and walking sticks. A brief talk with my husband. Cheerful voices in play. It was here. It was in me as well. It is in the promises of God.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27