Pockets of Peace

I’ve felt peace like a river. Yes, and I’ve experienced the eye of a hurricane where Peace reigns supreme while the storm rages “out there”. Equally, I’ve felt Peace when no one else is on the same page with me.

It’s the middle of the night for many, but during the past few weeks, I’ve wakened extra early and have felt Peace like a cool rag on a fevered brow. Calm. Sweet. Relief. Snippets of time. Pockets of Peace.

All around me I sense the storms of life that are roiling through my world that threaten Peace. It’s not political, nor environmental, the race for the pennant (Go Astros!) nor is it familial due to our recent tragedy. What is it? I know it’s the mother of all storms brewing over the horizon and it will threaten and intimidate.

Here’s my thought this morning.

As I drive through my childhood countryside, a memory crept in unbidden. I was no more than seven or eight, and we lived in Seabrook, Texas. Swimming lessons were on the agenda. Having learned as fast as possible the basic strokes and techniques, the lifeguard gave us Advanced Training Life Saving classes.

Get it? Second and first graders and we were being taught how to save a life.

The lifeguard would get into the middle of the deep end and begin floundering as a drowning person. Individually, our job was to swim behind him and put our arm around his shoulder and neck, and then pull him safely to the shore.

Because we swam like fish, this particular lifeguard would swing around and like a true drowning person trying to find any safety, he would entangle us into his problem. Grabbing and pulling us into his danger zone.

I cannot tell you how many times his hand would grab the top of my head and he would plunge me underwater as if I was strong and tall enough to give him a platform to crawl out of his struggles.

Regardless of what his action would do to me!

My brothers and I learned what it’s like to be close to danger, and reel someone into their place of safety. Exhausted, but with youthful energy, we would quickly plunge back into the water to finish our lesson. Over and over we would reach out to the drowning person…

I feel like this is simply what my life is all about. There is no time to join the fray, there is only time to rescue those caught by their storm.

Yesterday was a little different.

Turbulence swept through my world. Again. It’s been ever-present for several weeks, but it seems to be under the surface just waiting to make its appearance. I can handle your storm with you, but it seemed the largest of all storms settled into my little corner of the world.

Everyone seems to be on edge, feelings are brittle, words are weapons.
Attitudes are like the stored bullets waiting to be unleashed on everyone, anyone …
all like shards of glass from broken several weeks.

Yes. It’s understandable. Recovery from tragedy takes a while. But I don’t have time for recovery. I have to dig deep to find my own peace, refusing to drop into anyone else’s pit and duke it out like boys in a schoolyard fight.

There is no winning when you’re emotionally engaged.

Today is different.

I have felt the bombardment of everything that threatens my own peace and sanity. Quick! Look over my shoulder, is there anyone that can save me out of my own issues? No one seems to care. Why? They are involved in their own storm.

It’s easy to give in and let the storm win.

I’m nothing if I’m not a fighter. While others are stressed, you reach deep into your experiences. “I’ve been through storms like this before! I know what they feel like. I have something they need. Peace.“

As you walk into their storm it is your job to be that little pocket of peace that will extend grace and mercy. You have to fend off the barbs from those that are close to you. Remember. They’re drowning. Be strong. It is not your job to get wrapped up by the strong arms of their dilemma! Your job is to bring Peace. A Pocket of Peace.

Here’s A Key

You will need space and time to recover from dealing with others. I know some that throw themselves into their work, hoping beyond hope that that will assuage their turmoil.

What have I found that works for me? A little bit of “me” time. Indulge me in that quiet, peaceful, and solitary world of no one interrupting my recovery process. 

Sometimes you do this daily… It is only in the gospel of John, maybe from the one disciple who had a different insight, Jesus is recorded as saying:

Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(John 14:27 KJV)

How do you find peace enough to give away? You must first find peace within yourself. Sometimes that peace comes from your calm and understanding nature. Other times you must be alone to create your peace so you have enough to give away.

Jesus did this. In both ways. There was something about him knowing humanity and understanding where they were coming from. He speaks peace into their lives. On the other hand, repeatedly we find him withdrawing from the press of the crowds, probably feeling the weight of the world on his shoulder more than we can imagine. Sometimes he went with his own disciples (Mark 3:7), yet I suspect more times than not he withdrew himself for some “me” time. (Luke 5:16)

My Words To You

Be responsible.

Do what you need to do to maintain your own health through the storms. Take His peace, it’s better than anything else you can imagine. Why? Others need you to give them peace! They may not have the source of peace you have, and what you do have is yours to give away. Remember. Not everyone is on the same level. Get ready. Give out some pockets of peace, pocket by pocket.