As a busy single mom of two boys, 3 & 7, I find those times in life when I have peace are a gift from God. Peace can only come by releasing expectations, fighting to obtain more of life, and really taking the time to enjoy the moment we are living in.
Isn't it amazing how expectations can rob a person of joy? You expect your friends to be there for you, you expect your dog to figure out the rules of your home, you expect to get a raise and when those expectations fail you end up frustrated and disappointed. I stopped expecting and started praying and what I've found is peace. Yes, it's there and attainable. I just go to God and leave my requests at His feet and let life run its course. I do expect God to be in control and rely completely on His sovereignty but I no longer place those expectations on myself or others. I'm still learning to let go and let God but there is a payoff that helps me stick to the process, that payoff is the peace I receive.
Another frightening position I find myself in is trying to obtain the American Dream. Sadly, I too lost my job and have been trying to pull together my finances and get things situated in a way that I can at least get a bigger car for the sake of my boys leg room (mine reminds me of Wayne's World's AMC Pacer)! But the buck doesn't stop there. I'm not settling for just anything, I tell myself I want a BMW SUV and a nice BIG house and Vacations to Europe, ect. Then I sit back and see the earthquake disasters and the 3+ million orphans in Ethiopia and decide that I'll learn to be happy to have a car and a home with hot water baths and a meal at the end of the day, heck even a cup of coffee! My American dream is slowly changing to a dream of being content with less and thankful for the fact that we live in the greatest nation on Earth.
It is true when the Bible says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34, NIV. He gave us that instruction to bring us peace, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:7, NIV. From my experience so far, His instruction and His blessing go well hand in hand. I have not perfected surrender or thought change but I suppose that will come in time as I practice daily and continue to read God's Instruction Manual, The Bible. I'm just happy to have finally discovered peace in my life without having to pay for it!
