^“ 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 14:27New International Version (NIV)

 It has become a practice of my husband and mines that every morning, before I get out of the car to go into my high stress advertising sales job, we pray.  We pray for safety. We pray for health. We pray for prosperity.  We pray for creativity.  We pray for peace. We have said the same prayers so often the words are almost identical in terms and then we give thanks. 

However, this morning, a certain part of the prayer struck a chord with me, “If there be no peace in this building, let the peace she imparts be returned to her upon exit.”

Whoa! Wait a minute!  I realized that perhaps the reason I often feel stressed going in and exhausted coming out, is because I have been so prepared to “do battle each day” that I have neglected to impart any peace.  Especially not the kind of peace that is founded on the Word.  

One of the definitions of peace in Webster’s describes it as “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.” Is this notably the peace that Jesus is gifting us in John 14:27?  Certainly, highlighted by commanding us to “let not your hearts be troubled….. do not be afraid.”

Being the thorough Savior and Redeemer that He is, He promised that it was a perfected peace. Not one as the world gives, that is based on circumstance, and surely not the one being manufactured by me just to get to my desk in the morning.

So imagine with me if you will, how much better my day is going to be tomorrow! Armed this time with the “Peace of Christ” rather than the sadly lacking “peace of Chelle,” I will be imparting His peace……adorned with the trust that He has everything going according to the plans He has for my life…. Including my work life. And then if it does not carry in this place, I will be able to take Him and His Peace back with me rather than stress and a headache.

My intention from this point forward is to be intentionally practicing peace! Join me?!