Peace I leave with you...

---

The Lord is faithful in all his words, 
          and gracious in all his deeds. 
The Lord upholds all who are falling, 
          and raises up all who are bowed down. 
The eyes of all look to you, 
          and you give them their food in due season. 
You open your hand, 
          satisfying the desire of every living thing. 
The Lord is just in all his ways, 
          and kind in all his doings. 
The Lord is near to all who call on him, 
          to all who call on him in truth. 
He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; 
          he also hears their cry, and saves them. 
The Lord watches over all who love him, 
          but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, 
          and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
~ Psalm 145:13 - 21

"The important thing in life is not to conquer, but to fight well."

These are words my grandmother had penned within the opening pages of her Bible while battling cancer.

They have often served as a mantra for situations in my life, and often will serve as a reminder at the end of the day.

There is a sense of resolve among the words. There are many things in life that we must face. The mysteries of God can sometimes leave us asking, "Why?"

In the work that I do, I see this come to life so often. A man dies of cancer, and I recognize that he fought well. A person tries one more advanced treatment and dies from complications. There are so many battlefields I witness.

The pendulum perpetually sways, and the line between life and death leaves one battle fatigued.

The image that God gives to us each day is this, "Take my yoke upon you and I shall give you rest."

And goes on to say, "The battle is mine."

Each day we live with the certainty that there is One who is always with us. That our battles are not necessarily ours. We can be instruments of healing, of encouragement and of peace, but our reliance on God while attempting to surrender so many things, while helping one another, offers us little at times, but should leave us knowing our battles have already been won.

"Peace I give to you. My peace I leave with you."

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2017

---

Dear Lord, help me to live in the peace that You have given me.  Amen.

---