Who Needs Peace Like Air

Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.

WHEN KOLTON, KADENCE, AND JAXTON were very young, I’d take them to our neighborhood park. They loved the merry-go-round, and I’d help position them in the middle so they wouldn’t fall off. They’d laugh as I spun them, and when they were done, they always wanted to give Mommy a turn. It didn’t take long before I’d holler, “I’m done!”

As the world whipped by on that playground ride, it reminded me of what was taking place in my heart and mind during those early years of motherhood. Life felt like one big storm of swirling thoughts and racing heartbeats. I desperately wanted someone to grab hold of the rail, stop the spinning, and exclaim, “That’s it! You can take a break and catch your breath for a minute.” I needed peace, but in the middle of the swirl it was hard to focus on my Father’s face.

There’s a story in Scripture about Jesus’s friends being tossed around in a boat as they crossed a lake...

Jesus said to his followers, “Come with me across the lake.” So they left the crowd behind and went with Jesus in the boat he was already in. . . . A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.

Have you ever prayed for Jesus to speak to the storm in your life or the swirl in your heart? Have you ever felt as if you’re spinning on this merry-go-round of motherhood, and you’re convinced God must be sleeping, or surely, He’d have slowed the madness by now?

Let me remind you of this truth before you sleep: Just as the Lord called the disciples into the boat He was already in, He called you into motherhood, knowing you’d find Him there. You’re not alone in this. If it’s His boat, you can be confident that it will make it to the other side. You can be confident that His peace is traveling with you. If you need Him, you can come to Him and ask Him to calm the chaos in your heart. You can ask Him to bring peace to any consuming fear you feel. And then? You can follow His lead and join Him in finding rest even among the swirl and the storm.

Tonight we pray for the momma who needs peace like she needs air. She needs peace in her heart, mind, and home. She needs You to settle every racing thought, every troubled relationship, and every area of uncertainty. Tonight we ask that You walk into the room with her and speak to every storm swirling around her and within her. Speak peace to her heart. Speak peace over her home. Just as You told the winds and waves to be calm and they obeyed, You still speak peace to our lives. Bless her tonight.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Jesus, Your disciples saw You quiet swirling seas. Now I ask You to enable me to rest as You calm this storm in me: