27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14:27
“A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.” It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!”
For what seems to be an extremely long time now (really only 5 months) I feel as if many of us have been holding that same glass of water and we are becoming a bit numb. I remember a time when our two boys were quite little, our oldest son was in and out of the hospital over a 6 month period. A few times it was a full month and I would become physically and emotionally exhausted. As I sat next to his hospital bed the days simply ran into each other and at the time we had no idea how long this journey would last. On the good days, I could put him in the red flyer wagon and walk him through the halls at St. Joseph’s Hospital. On the, not so good days, I could hold him for only 15 minutes a day.
For me, the only sense of peace I could find was to pray, to offer my son up to God along with my worries and fears. Believing God placed the right Doctors and nurses in our care was part of that sense of peace. Jesus left us with the promise of peace, he is the Prince of Peace, he never left my side then and never leaves our side now during these difficult times.
So I ask you to visualize placing all that you are holding on to, maybe it’s fear, or worry, or anger, or whatever it might be that has you burdened, place it into that glass that you have been holding and set it at Jesus’ feet, ask him to take it from you, and know it’s no longer yours to keep.
Loving and Comforting God, we give to you all of the burdens and heaviness that we have carried and held on to for so long. Pour out your Holy Spirit of peace upon each of us to comfort and restore us so that we may live each day fully in your presence. Send your angels to watch and guard over us, our families and friends. Thank you for your peace that never fails, the peace that passes all understanding and for your love that endures forever. Amen.
Blessings,                                                             Brenda