Spinning in Peace

Peace I Ieave with you; my peace I give to you. John 14:27

Have you ever stared into the washer when it was running the spin cycle?  As a kid, I used to stick a wooden spoon handle into the slot the housed the shut off switch so I could open the lid and watch the laundry spin.  I was fascinated by the speed and force and I loved the occasional mist of water that would wet my face.  I know it seems like a silly thing but I thought it was so cool that the laundry could mash up against the side and not fall to the center.  Since school started my life has felt a little like the spin cycle on the washer but God is good and he’s that force that has kept everything from crashing to the middle.

So much has happened and I have so much to be grateful for.  Dave and I celebrated our 25th anniversary, I’ve traveled like crazy speaking and meeting some truly amazing people.  I get to spend each day with 75 truly awesome  middle lovelies and  I went to 6th grade camp and Canada all in one week.  I’ve been in the air and on the porch and in the barn and planted my feet in 7 different states in the past 3 months. Sometimes I shake my head and say, “why me, Lord? You could have picked anyone to do this work but I’m so glad you picked me!”  This afternoon was quiet and still and I felt like the washer stopped spinning for  bit.  As I stopped to catch my breath I realized that just like the washer everything was still in place even after the spinning stopped.  Peace is such a lovely thing, it’s our gift from the Father who loves us…he promised it to us and I think we forget to cash in on that gift.

Millions of Americans are tuned into the Presidential candidate debate as I type, I chose peace instead of the chaos that is being televised and that will jam up social media for the next few days.  I’m gonna let the world spin like crazy and I’m just going to sit in the quiet office and type.  As I think about the craziness that consumes our days right now I realize what a gift peace really is.  I think about nutty things like the scary clowns and hurricane winds and presidential mud slinging and it makes peace even more necessary.  In the hectic pace of the past couple of months there are some things that I wish would go as viral instead.  In the past several weeks I’ve met people who have been married for decades, people who beat cancer three or more times and people who have overcome tragedies that made me want to cry.  I’ve met people full of joy and hope and light and they inspire me.  I have watched students in my classroom form friendships, support each other and boys who open song books at mass and sing with their whole heart.  I’be been touched by the generosity and hospitality of strangers and the warmth of hugs from people I’ve never met and will probably never see again.  I’ve seen the ocean, the mountains, the forrest and held a baby just a few weeks old.  I’ve laughed, cried and stretched myself to the limits but all the while God has held it all in place and kept it all spinning in good order.

These past several weeks have been a great reminder of some of the most important lessons in life.   God’s in charge, there are way more good people than bad, hot coffee fixes everything, there is always something to laugh about and smiles are the universal language of God’s love. God reveals himself so clearly through creation and people so it’s great to pay attention to both, I guarantee you’ll find what’s good!  This week as your life seems like the spin cycle just spin along, knowing God’s got it under control and take a minute to look for the good stuff and the good folks, they are there; shining like a beacon offering you a slice of peace in the middle of the spinning.

A Seed To Plant: Make a list of 5 great things that have happened in the last two weeks…sometimes we have to slow down a minute to sort out the good stuff.

Blessings on your day!

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