Peace in a Broken World

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."

Psalm 29:11

We live in a broken world.  We don't have to look very far to see the pain, sadness, and grief that people are experiencing--parents devastated by the diagnosis of  their cancer-stricken child; a marriage shattered by infidelity; a family torn apart by mental illness or addiction; a church, university, or community destroyed by the abuse of an authority figure.  As humans--and, perhaps, even more so as parents-- we can be left feeling frustrated, burdened, and hopeless about the reality of sin in this world.  It is in these times that we realize what our lives can be apart from God. 

So often we look to ourselves for the strength to get through difficult times; we look to the ways of the world to fix our problems.  Yet, we are reminded that it is Christ alone who can remedy all of our pain.  It is Christ alone who conquered sin, death, and the power of the devil. So, we look to the cross and are given the strength to carry the burdens in our lives.  We look to the empty tomb for the peace of knowing that our hurt is only temporary.  

It is not always easy to be a Christian mom in this broken world.  But, in Christ, we find our strength and true peace.  It is in His church,  that we are filled with His Word and fed with His Body and Blood.  And, in His love and mercy, He has given us each other as "a cloud of witnesses" to lean upon during trials.  May we use the strength and peace we receive from Christ's gifts to live the life He has called us to live on this earth.  And, may we fix our eyes upon the perfect and complete life we will one day have with Him for all eternity.

Dear Almighty Father, 

Help us daily to look to you for encouragement when we become downtrodden with the sinfulness of this world.  Forgive us and renew us through Your gifts. May we  look  to You for guidance, strength, and peace as we share Your love with those around us.

In Christ's name~ Amen.