Each day we have moments where we desperately need God’s forgiveness and grace. Wake up calls to our imperfections and depravity. Perhaps like me, you remember a season that you realized the depth of this chasm. God’s grace and mercy was not just the cherry on top, but the necessary glue to keep you together. We sometimes get so comfortable that I think we forget the love we had at first for the God who gave us hope. That elated feeling of peace and joy, when we tossed all our garbage aside and said, “I trust You.”

Peaceful that is what I’d call this moment. How is this possible with 3 kids? When I had no kids I felt frazzled, and yet now I am relaxed? What caused this paradigm shift? I stopped living as though I had no kids.

Where is God? The question emanates from those around me. I see their longing, their desire for peace, the feeling deep down that there is something more. But they still haven’t experienced the life changing power of Christ and wonder why? The assumption soon rises perhaps it is what it is. I can’t dwell on something I can’t change, so I will just enjoy this life, and hope everything works itself out at the end. Unfortunately, we can’t wait till the end to make amends with God. We have to make proactive steps now to receive His presence and solidify our hope in what is to come.

If only life was always filled with roses, where no pain could penetrate our heart; or our clocks would stop long enough for us to revel in the moment and be thankful. Then, it would always be easy to maintain our joy. But what happens when life isn’t going smoothly, when it takes all your effort to stay above water? What then? I have felt pain, and I have felt joy. Here are some ways I am able to keep my joy a little longer.

In our self gratification society, the idea of making the right choice out of pure obedience kind of blows our minds. Shouldn’t we be able to pick and choose what seems right to us? Where does faith and trust fall into this limited world view of obedience? Why is the difference between obeying God out of choice versus emotion so important?

We all desire peace. The inner contentment that leaves us feeling free from burden and worries. Christ offers us this peace, through times of trials and times of joy. However, more often than not, we do not receive this wonderful attribute of Christ. We are left feeling as defeated as everybody else. When we have a personal relationship with Christ, there should be a peace that others desire and seek out. Why is that not always the case? I’d like to propose some suggestions.