Over the past few months I have been occupied by everyday life happenings, trying to regain ground since my return from vacation back in September. It’s funny how the time away allowed me to be exposed to the peace I so desired from all the various extracurricular endeavors I participated in along with life circumstances throughout 2024. The peace I indulged in was sweet and savory like honey and butter on a perfectly toasted piece of bread. Slowly taking small bites to enjoy the taste and at the same time trying to preserve it for as long as possible. But the inevitable happens, it’s all gone once that last piece goes into your mouth.
What Happened to My Peace?
That peace I encountered while on vacation was a fleeting bliss once I made it to the airport to return home. I told myself during the ten-hour flight that I was going to hold on to the calm I had stepped into during my break. At home, at work, in ministry, wherever I would be, I was going to keep and embrace that serenity that was oh so satisfying to my soul. Well, that only lasted for a few weeks before the noise of life crept back in. Can you relate?
Get that Honey & Butter Back
So I had to take charge and be intentional about getting back to the core of peace I longed for. I knew I was planning to take some time off from work during the month of December and during Thanksgiving I began to think of a plan. Since the holiday season is my annual time to wind down and slow down with activities to participate in to get refreshed for the new year, new season I knew what I needed to do. Spend time in the Lord’s Presence for three days with no interruptions.
This time with Him will bring me back to the center of the honey and butter peacefulness in my life. As I anticipated this time, I was inspired by a book I am reading Praying the Names of Jesus. The chapter I had started after I made my plans was ‘Prince of Peace’. Unexpectedly, this helped me to prepare for my much-needed retreat with the Prince of Peace.
When the day came to seclude myself from the noise, my sister wasn’t feeling well. I was concerned about her, and I tried to do what I could to tend to her. My thoughts were battling inside my mind, ‘care for your sister, but you have to sit in God’s Presence’. After beginning my time with the Lord and going back and forth to check on her that first evening, I had to make a decision. I prayed to the Lord that I was going to let Him be God in caring for my sister while I spent time with Him like I had planned. I was not going to let fear of her not feeling well while being isolated in my bedroom interfere with grabbing a hold of peace. I didn’t realize it in that moment, but now I see the activation of faith in trusting God. How do you disable the distractions that try to interfere with your time to obtain peace?
Sweet & Savory Peace Re-established
During that time in His Presence, I was uplifted, refreshed, and inspired. The Prince of Peace was with me as I dwelled with Him. I was able to focus on ‘What’s Next’ for the new season. Receiving clarity on my next writing venture, ambitions for Created For Greatness, and detailed personal goals are exactly what I needed. I realized that part of what’s next is an extension of the sweet and savory ‘peace’ I crave after having a brief taste of it last year. Each area I am preparing to operate in will release harmonious joy into the atmosphere so that I may live, breathe, and walk in peace that will be sustained throughout the year. Now I will take one day at a time to work towards the foundation that has been set for what’s next in 2025.
What have you identified as your foundation for this new season?
Comment below or email me. I can’t wait to learn about what's next for you.
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