He hadn’t. I ran to the dining room window to discover two trucks on our front lawn. Because of some recent car break-ins in our neck of the woods, I was certain that the bandits were making their rounds to my beat-up van, chock full of remnants from a day’s work in the attic that were soon to find a new home at the Salvation Army. My husband commented it would be a blessing if the robbers would cart the stuff off thus, saving him a trip. After pulling on his britches, he headed outdoors to take a look around. Alas, no bandits, only EMT workers responding to a neighbor’s call across the street.
Once I was back in bed, my adrenaline was still pumping and my mind began to entreat all the possible scenarios of what “might have been.” It took a long time for me to resettle my thoughts and move back to the calm I had previously known, but eventually I drifted off to sleep.
To a bad dream.
I won’t go into the particulars, but safe-to-say, it involved a couple of missing children… my children. Seems ridiculous even typing that now; dreams always have a way of living bigger when they’re “in the moment” and happening upon the stage of the subconscious. At the time, the feelings I felt were very real and enough to arouse me from my slumber. Once fully awake, I went upstairs to check on my children and returned to my thinking… about how the earlier wanderings of my mind might have contributed to a bad dream. About how God tells me to bring all thoughts captive to him and to allow him to reframe them in accordance with his truth.
And when I did, when I began to hash this dream out with God, I remembered my previous going-to-sleep, Bible reading from Luke—Jesus’ words that said,
‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace…’
And then I remembered what would bring me peace.
Jesus.
And then I was incredibly thankful for this one truth that I, in fact, do know and do hold as my abiding truth in all my times and situations, both day and night.
Jesus Christ and the promise of his peace.
Jesus no longer weeps over my ignorance as he did on that day when he stood on the threshold of a painful surrender. He doesn’t look down from heaven today and shed a tear regarding my willful neglect of his truth. I imagine he still cries for others who’ve yet to make that leap of faith-filled understanding, but as for me and my faith, I’m securely anchored to Jesus and to the pilgrimage of Easter that we walk together this week. His story is my own. His life and death and resurrection belong to me, even as it belonged to those who stood by to watch it in living color 2000 years ago. The words he echoed through his tears back then are the words he echoes still… words he’s entrusted to me and to you for the telling.
We are God’s peace-ambassadors, his kingdom peace-keepers, peace-makers, peace-tellers. We are the living color, flesh-and-blood carriers of our Savior’s truth, and should we choose to remain silent, the rocks will rise up to take our place. God is just that good. His truth is just that pure. His life is just that real. His love is just that much. So good and pure and real and much that even the stones of creation cannot contain their voices regarding his authenticity.
I want to be found as faithful. I want to herald the truth of Easter, and I want the anchor of God’s peace sustaining me on all occasions, whether the moon or the sun is governing the light. Today, I know what brings me peace because long ago I “recognized the time of God’s coming to me”, and I received his story as my own. I live it again this week as I walk to Calvary to remember, to reflect, and to renew my heart as an Easter child with an Easter inheritance to share.
A very good dream. A very certain reality.
God’s Peace. God’s Son. God’s Gift. God’s Grace.
The Truth behind Easter.
Remember Christ well this week; live Christ all the more. I’ll meet you at the empty tomb. As always…
peace for the journey,
~elaine
PS: The winner of the pay-it-forward giveaway is Leah @ The Point. Congrats, Leah. Please send me your snail mail via my e-mail, and as soon as the book arrives in the mail to me, I’ll send it your way along with a few extras. Enjoy.
I am so thankful for His peace that is needed even in times when a bad dream shakes us. His peace comes as we turn to Him to find Truth.
"We are God’s peace-ambassadors, his kingdom peace-keepers, peace-makers, peace-tellers. We are the living color, flesh-and-blood carriers of our Savior’s truth"—I received His story as my own and I am walking my peace this week too! Living the very good dream, the very good reality. 🙂 Hope you have a great week, Elaine.
This is a very timely post – as the door to Jerusalem is open again for me to go there – for real – in less than 14 days from now. A few weeks ago God told me I was "going Up to Jerusalem before the end of the year." Within 24 hours of that message a trip opened up – but was quickly taken by another couple. I was left with being #1 on the 'waiting list'!!
WAITING indeed – in earnest prayer – TRUSTING the Lord Jesus with my life in His Hands. There is an urgency – and it's for the very reason you wrote about – to "weap over the city…" – and to walk with Jesus along the Road to Emmaus… to feel the dust His feet kicks back upon mine as I follow in His footsteps. As I type this to you now – I am "compelled"
– like Paul "to GO". The verse at the teop of your post is the same one God had given me earlier. There is so much more – but for now – I wait upon God in deep prayer – for His Hand to move with every detail left to be fulfilled.
I covet your prayers until that time.
Thank you for the Word to me – and it seems that Jesus brought a Word to you – that He will indeed make clear to you in coming days. Ask Him more about that dream – but trust Him fully in His Will over it all.
JESUS IS OUR ONLY PEACE
especially for my Journey Up to Jerusalem.
I am remembering now the message that God gave me three years ago –
"PRAYER…activates what God has already purposed in your life."
Choosing JOY in the Journey Up,
Stephanie
JESUS ONLY in 2010
You have summarized so well the true meaning of Easter. I am so thankful that I have Him, our Peace, to see me through my days.
Oh my friend, I awoke so usettled this morning…doubting and anxious about so many things. I now see Him…hear Him…know Him…and will follow Him.
I will meet you at the empty tomb,
love ya friend,
Joy
Your words always bring me such peace. A good morning-coffee read!!!
Thank You Father God. Elaine, I'm there too. I see you on the path… following along Calvary's road. Praise His Holy Name, amen.
Oh what love, that He would weep over Jerusalem… that He would weep over us. I'm so thankful for His love!
Blessings to you this Easter week, Elaine!
glad things were safe for you! This is such a great reminder of our Prince of Peace. He is the only one who can give us true rest and peace!
Peace..HIS peace…may God grant peace to me and through me as we walk this journey together.
Love you, my friend…
So thankful to be walking with you and Jesus this week my friend!
So many 'peace' verses come to mind as I read this Elaine…
"Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give unto you"…
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee"… (Because he trusteth in Thee)…
"And the peace of God that passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds…
As you said, the truth for us today and every day…"Jesus Christ and the promise of His peace"…
Beautiful way to spend some time thinking this week.
Hugs!
Sonja
I've had bad dreams that reminded me to let Jesus be my peace too. Taking thoughts captive is a habit I'm trying to make a part of my automatic response to everything.
Elaine,
I hung on every word and so thankful for the Peace which is indeed JESUS. Thankful that you and your family were safe as well.
More and more I think on, pray about and rejoice in the Peace of GOD which surpasses my human understanding but my spirit embraces fully as does my heart with extreme gratitude.
Love you dear friend.
That Scripture (the time of God's visitation….what would bring you peace) was still echoing in my mind from our Sunday sermon. I think Jesus STILL weeps when we through neglect or hardness of heart fail to recognize his visitations to us.
Re. those dreams, I've found that when the details are memorable and specific enough to reconstruct in the morning, they are worth writing down. At least for me, in the writing of them I have gained very clear insight (Heavenly instruction and perspective, I believe.) I specifically remember one about our youngest daughter that was critically important.
Just saying……
A great telling, Elaine. You had me, and kept me the duration … my heart pounding right along with yours. I did grin, though, as I envisioned your barefoot dash to the window while hubby nestled in for some serious zzzzzs. That scene has played at my house numerous times!
More-and-more I'm coming to terms with the fact that everything – from dish washing to dental appointments; from shopping trips to car maintenance; and EVERYTHING in between – is a lesson.
The more clamorous the issue, the more likely I'll listen up. But even the subtleties of life are beginning to capture my attention. It's so true: the little things get us every time! I'm hoping to get to them first; and to keep my peace for the journey.
The big things seem much easier to slog through. Maybe because I KNOW I have to have the Lord's help lest my peace be stolen.
Given the small and large things being juggled in my life at the moment, this couldn't have come at a better time.
Peace … be still.
Hugs,
Kathleen
Glad you remember His Peace and nothing bad was going on in reality. His word does speak. Last night the BB's had a speaking/painting engagement at a gathering of 7 churches. Our subject was Christ, the Rock and the living stones. I have been 'rocked' alot preparing the message. I love the verse about the rocks crying out. Blessings, B
This is such a great inspirational blog! I'm glad I stumbled upon you here! Really blessed, by your writings! When you get a chance, stop by at mine, and join me there! thanks and blessings!
Here is the link to my blog!
Oh, amen! A very certain reality…LOVED your reflections on this….
Tears…come down…even though like you I already know that reality…that so very certain reality. Of his death and resurrection. Yet, so many out there are still looking for that peace…in things, in accomplishments which in and of themselves amounts to nothingness. Yes…I am walking towards the cross..carrying mine as I follow after His example 2000 years ago. And many are following in pursuit of peace, love and wholeness in OUR RISEN CHRIST! Halleluiyah!
Happy Easter Week!
Gladwell
Just what I needed to read this morning. Thanks, my friend. Peace, peace, marvelous peace.
What a lovely, lovely blog you have, Elaine. Love it. Jesus equals peace. So true.
Magnificent words. Thank You Father God! Happy Easter Elaine!
That bitter tears can be turned to joyful tears is such an amazing miracle. I pray that the Lord saves that little girl and turns her ashes into beauty…so grievous…
Yet so grateful for hope and the power of the cross every day!
Thank you for this message of His peace. Have a blessed Easter! and A blessed Birthday! Rita