May the Peace of Christ Go With You

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 Below is the blessing that I used to say to Anna and Taylor every morning when they walked out the door to go to school, but since Taylor is still fully online and since Anna only goes two times a week, I don't say this prayer as much to them as much these days: 
















The thing about it is that I have said this so many times over the years that it possibly goes in one ear and out the other on many mornings.

It also reminds me of  the "passing of the peace" in some church services that we say but don't understand the magnitude of what we are saying:

I was thinking about this word "peace" and was reminded of the story when Jesus calmed the storm. 

"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How[h] is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41

The thing I was thinking about was that this peace I am praying for when I ask for God's peace to go with Anna and Taylor to school each day is not a sugar-coated, sentimental or empty peace. It's a bold, strong, storm-calming peace that breaks into the chaos of our lives and brings an exhale and a sense of relief that we can trust that God has got us under His care no matter what.  

I imagined being in that boat with Jesus and seeing the waves crashing over you today. While I have no power to stop the waves, I can ask Jesus to step in and stop the madness. I can ask Him to say "Peace be still" to your heart.  My mama's heart can plead with God who has the biggest mama's heart I know to protect and to guard you.  

Peace Be Still by Lauren Daigle
I don't want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don't want to be afraid
I don't want to be afraid
I don't want to fear the storm
Just because I hear the roar
I don't want to fear the storm
I don't want to fear the storm
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I'm dancing in the deep
Oh peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
I'm not gonna be afraid
'Cause these waves are only waves
I'm not gonna be afraid
I'm not gonna be afraid
I'm not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than it's roar
I'm not gonna fear the storm
I'm not gonna fear at all
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I'm dancing in the deep
Oh peace be still

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