Nourish Your Heart

(My grandmother, Anna Daisy Siemens, wrote poetry and prose. This devotion was written and published for Devotions for the Deaf in 1994)

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Isaac set an example of peace. While he lived in the valley of Gerar, King Abimelech told him to move since their servants were constantly at war about water rights. Isaac moved — again and again. He moved and dug new wells. But Abimelech finally wanted a peace treaty with him because he saw how God blessed Isaac for his peaceful ways of living.

Jesus says, “…my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.)

James 3:18 says, “those who sow in peace will harvest righteousness.” The Hebrew writer goes one step farther to say, “Live in peace and be holy for without holiness we will never see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 - Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.) Peace is a part of holiness.

Prayer: Lord, please give me perfect peace so that it may flow to others in need.

It escapes me on the darkest of days. I cannot see my hand in front of my face on those days. Where is God? Why has he not answered? Why does he not come to me? I need his presence. I need his strength.

On those days hope has faltered in the face of my pessimism. I am busy strengthening my list of sorrows. I am writing down every last slight. I cannot believe the snowballs of bad or ill-timed things.

I had it all figured out. I would have my summer of relaxation. I had it last summer. It was beautiful. I can remember all the days when life was so calm and peaceful. I had your ear. You listened to me. I treasured your words and your presence.

I wanted that experience again. It was a rough year. Good things happened. But so many things were hard. I wanted to learn about you and I did. But I had so many choices. And then, just when I felt I was on the cusp of a new enlightening experience with you, it all fell apart.

My prayers hit the ceiling, what prayers I can utter. I cannot seem to get a grasp. I know I should be thankful. I know I should be grateful. I have so many blessings in my life.

And yet, hope, it fades. Hope is the beginning of faith. Without hope I cannot see that life will be better. I cannot see your love in my every day. I will not see the small things you do for me. And if I see them, I will claim that they are not enough.

I am acting as a spoiled child. When the parents have nothing to give, the child feels unloved. I am acting that way. I know you love me God. I know that you have joy for me. I know that you have desires that you wish me to feel. I know that you have peace for me. I know that it is here, close at hand.

I just need to reach for it. But why am I still here in this place? Why do I still feel so angry and petulant? Guide me God of hope. Take my hand and lead me. Hold me in your arms so that I feel your safety and peace even in this storm that is my life.

You are my hope. You are my strength. You are the power that fills my life. You are the joy that paints the sky blue, then starts over with the colors of the rainbow. You are my joy. You are my energy. You renew my energy every morning. You fill my life with hope. Thank you.

Romans 15:13 Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

Today God, I am lonely. I look around and wait for you to work on my behalf. But I do not see you working. I do not see things happening for me.

I only see the depressing amount of work and duty and responsibility I have been given. I only see the disappointments I have suffered. I cannot see your hand moving today. Where are you God this day?

I have had to let go of my dreams. So I have tried to substitute them with other lesser dreams or desires. I only want to be able to enjoy myself and laugh, just once this week. I just want see your salvation working out in my life.

Help me to fulfill my duties with diligence and patience. Show me your grace by giving me strength to put out one more fire and to make it though one more meeting.

Show me how you love me by protecting me from further harm. Heal my broken body with your mercy and your love. Bring healing into my heart where it aches for you and your peace.

Thank you for my friends you have given me. Thank you for the joy they are to me. Guide my words to bless them daily. Send them blessings that they need.

Arrange my life how you want it to go. Teach me to accept your plans. Show me where you are leading me. Bless me with the joy that comes straight from you.

Psalm 68:5-7 Our God, from your sacred home you take care of orphans and protect widows. You find families for those who are lonely. You set prisoners free and let them prosper, but all who rebel will live in a scorching desert. You set your people free, and you led them through the desert.

Psalm 40:1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God.