Day 17: Jesus is Peace

As Christmas Day is getting closer, I found myself feeling frazzled tonight. I can’t point to just one thing that’s produced this frazzling. It was a collection of things that put me into a glib moment. And yes, this was a passing, shallow moment. Even though today was my last day of work at my day job until Jan. 2, I still have lots of work to do to prepare for the Christmas Day I desire for my family (well, and myself). As I began to think about all the things I still needed to do, I started feeling frazzled.

In my mind, I started listing off all these items I still needed to do in the next four days. I have a random mind. This is exactly how I thought:

Okay, I need to write a blog post tonight yet. What in the world is that going to be about? I have no idea!
Get haircut tomorrow. I wonder if I can squeeze in seeing my son and grandson? Hmmm. Maybe!
Get oil changed Friday morning. Write blog before. Yeah, I can do that.
Make grocery list for Christmas Day meals. Okay that means I actually have to figure out what I’m making.
Buy food for Christmas Day meals.
Oh yeah, the stockings need to be hung. Do I even know where the stockings are?
I still need to buy a couple of more stocking stuffers for my boys.
Ugh, wrapping paper! Where’s that at? In the garage rafters? Um maybe I need to just buy more in case we can’t find the paper.
Make food for Christmas Day meals.
Shoot! I need go to Costco too. Maybe I can squeeze that in between oil change and shopping with Bob Friday.
I need to get up and write every day so that I can keep up with this Advent Insight series.
Workout! Grrr! I forgot I have to work out a few more times this month to get my 12 times. Okay. I can do that. I won’t go see my son and grandson.
I’ll slip in a workout after my haircut and then maybe on Saturday before I wrap presents I can work out. But wrapping presents is kind of like a workout. Isn’t it? Probably can’t get credit for that.
Shoot! We need Qtips!
What time is church on Sunday again? I think they said three different times. I’ll have to look that up.
I wonder if I should wash my hair before I get it cut tomorrow. Tony always washes anyway.

Friends, this entire dialogue with myself probably happened in less than two minutes. Frazzling!

Random thinking, can produce a lot of creativity, but can also cause anxiety and frustration.

As I sat down at my desk at home after that two-minute crazy Michelle thinking, I paused. Lowered my head, slumped my shoulders, and prayed.

“Lord, I need help!”

Peace came and met me right in my frazzled moment.

Jesus Himself is Peace.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Friends, I’m so thankful I have learned to sit and ask for help from the Prince of Peace Himself. That crazy random moment of my to-do list was washed away by Peace.

I may or may not get all of that done before or for Christmas Day. Peace is more important than making sure we get everything checked off our lists, no matter how organized or scattered our lists are.

This Advent season may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)