Let there be peace on earth or did you say ham, parties, presents, shopping, cooking. No, it was peace, I'm sure of it.

This weekend has been sort of stressful, but not really, when I compare my life to my dear friend, Leigh Ann. Her mother has been missing since Thursday, when she did not return from a shopping trip in Murfreesboro. Her car has been found, but not her. Their lives have been completely turned upside down, so as I sit here whirling from expectations, obligations, and teenagers....it all starts to pale, fade and seem very unimportant. Our minister spoke about peace today. A peace that the world cannot understand. A peace that could blanket the entire world if everyone desired it to be. Tonight, I have prayed for my friend, and as I have prayed for her I have found a new peace in my mother's death. I cannot imagine the overwhelming confusion, desperation and endless searching this family is facing. As I have fretted over getting a honeybaked ham to our son's honor society Christmas party, I have been humbled at the blessing of taking care of this obligation. For I am not sitting by the phone, hoping, praying, for a phone call saying my loved one is found. I am not awaiting tests results that will say if cancer has returned. I am not sitting in lawyer's office deciding settlement of a divorce. I have a warm home, food in the fridge, a few presents under the tree, two head-strong teenagers, and a husband who loves me. But, I am called to have peace in all things. A peace that cannot be understood by human reasoning. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
So the next time I feel stressed about things, anything, I am going to call upon the great provider of all of my needs and tonight I am calling upon my God to cover my dear friend with a blanket of peace that cannot be taken from her, even when her mother cannot be found.