Words to Grow On

Archive Devotions

May 17, 2004

“Mrs. Large”

By: Carol Beth Crowell

“I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:27 (CEV)

“Mrs. Large took a tray from the cupboard. She set it with a teapot, a milk jug, her favorite cup and saucer, a plate of marmalade toast and a leftover cake from yesterday. She stuffed the morning paper into her pocket and sneaked off toward the door.” So begins my favorite children’s book, “Five Minutes Peace,” by Jill Murphy.

It’s about a mama elephant that needs a break from her three children, the messes they’ve made, the dishes, the laundry…sound familiar? So, Mrs. Large puts a tray together and tries to sneak off to a relaxing, hot, bubble bath. “Why?” ask the children, as they follow her up the stairs. “Because I want five minutes peace from all of YOU,” she explains.

It has become my watchword, my mantra, my heartfelt cry ~ “five minutes peace!” It’s all I ask for in the midst of the unstoppable energy that is my life, my family, my home, and my work. Is anybody out there with me on this?

Last year, around Mother’s Day, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what kind of year it had been for the moms in my ‘circle of friends.’ It wasn’t pretty. Collectively, as mothers, my friends and I had fought for our marriages to stay together, and crumbled when they fell apart. We lost sleep wondering how we will ever raise our children alone.

We held our breath waiting for the court’s permission to adopt our foster children, so that we could finally be a real family. We have watched our husbands drive away, for another four or five days on the road, while we held it all together for the children at home.

We prayed through the night for our daughters, who are struggling to raise their daughters, in this frightening world. We watched from a distance as our grown children learned tough lessons; we cried quietly because we knew that we couldn’t make it all better with just a hug and a kiss anymore.

We watched helplessly as our precious girl went home to be with Jesus. We tried to explain to our 6-year old why Nanny doesn’t always recognize us anymore. We’ve pleaded with God for patience, for healing, for a miracle, for the answers, for wisdom, for guidance and for grace. We have longed for rest, for real peace.

Good news, girlfriends! There is peace to be found! Not just the ‘five minute’ kind, either. I mean the supernatural, indescribable peace of God. The peace that He promised us in John 14:27 where He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

The peace of God is nothing like the peace the world offers ~ it “transcends all understanding,” and it promises to “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

I find it liberating to know that God is providing something for me that I am not even expected to understand. I don’t have to find it, create it, organize it, order it, or explain it…I just have to accept it!

Ask Him for this peace. No matter what your situation is today, big stress, little stress, He can cover it. Let this peace wash over you and then let yourself rest in it. It is a gift from The One who loves you.