Perfect Space vs. Peaceful Spirit {Week 4: Marriage & Mommyhood}

I love when my house is all neat and tidy – a place for everything and everything in its place.

I strive for the perfect environment; I like my space to be clean, organized, uncluttered. Then I feel I can have peace. And I want everyone else to play along – clean up after themselves.

But, that’s not reality, especially with 7 other people in the house. And, if I ever did reach that elusive goal, would it really bring me peace? And if so, it would be short-lived. In a matter of moments, something would come undone.

A Super-Woman‘s peace is found in her perfect

environment (or circumstance), while

an Abiding Woman‘s peace is found in Jesus

in the midst of any storm.

This is something I have always struggled with – wanting my environment to be just-right, peaceful, and calm. It’s hitting me really hard right now because we recently moved into a new home, plus we are expecting a baby in a couple months. I just want everything done – boxes unpacked, baby stuff ready to go, a clean house.

I know it’s never going to happen, so I might as well stop trying so hard and putting so much energy, both emotional and physical, into trying to make my space perfect. Rather, I should put that energy into things that really matter, like my relationship with Christ. That is where I will find my peace; He will give me peace.

Of course we shouldn’t let our house go – we shouldn’t let the laundry pile up or our children to go unbathed. We do have responsibilities as wives and moms that we can’t ignore. But we need to find a balance, and not search for peace in our environment. We will only find true peace from Him. And when we do, everything else will fall into place, and peace will be all around us.

Sometimes people (me included) feel that if they can just get away for awhile, away from their un-perfect space, by going a date with their spouse, taking a brisk walk alone, or even going on a tropical vacation, that they will find peace. Yes, these things are all well and good and can provide you with refreshment, but they are just temporary, worldly fixes that don’t fill us with the peace we really desire and need.

The Lord gives strength to His people;

the Lord blesses His people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Jesus said, “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.

John 14:27

True peace, real peace, can only be found in Jesus!