Peace Be Still...

Many, years ago, I had the privilege and honor of playing with a wonderful Christian artist named Sherri Youngward.  At a time in my life when I was broken and confused, God opened the door for me to join her band and tour all over the country. When you travel and play a lot, you can get tired of certain songs, or, feel like you’ve played it for the thousandth time.  One of those songs in particular was called “Peace.”  It was usually played towards the end of our set and probably the most popular song played.  Night after night, we played and sung these simple words, that often times, I took for granted.

“Peace, be still, lay all your worries down.  Be still, oh my soul, for our God is in control.  And if God is for us, then whom shall I fear.  And our God is for us, so lay down, be still, He is God.  Hallelujah, or God has overcome.  Hallelujah, our Lord, Jesus Christ has won.”

Driving down to Mexico last week, with a missions team from Washington, I had a thousand thoughts racing through my mind.  This is usually the case, as I return from trips, full of meetings and important decisions that have to be made.  Those thoughts mixed with the anticipation of meeting the 5 newest children in our home, began to overwhelm my mind.

Needless to say, I began to stress and worry. "How is this going to work? What decisions should I make? How can we raise more money?" and so on.  The very one fueling those worrisome thoughts was the enemy, doing everything he could to discourage me.  To be honest, I felt as if he was winning, UNTIL, that song I use to be so familiar with, flooded my mind.  Driving through the beautiful mountains of Mexico, the Lord began to remind me and speak to me, through those wonderful words and promises, that I need only be still, because He is God!

What a blessing it has been, getting to know the newest members of our family, Adrianna, Pablo, Myra, Gale and Aaron.  It has also been incredibly hard, as I continue to hear the stories and learn more about these precious children's past.  I’ve never held this many kids before, as they are sobbing, broken, confused, missing their mothers.

The other night, I heard little 2 year old Gale, screaming for his mother.  I went in to his room, picked him up and began to rock him.  As I held him tight in my arms, I thought, this child has never had this before from a father.  So I began to pray and sing over him as he quietly fell asleep.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet Aaron’s mom.  She made an unexpected trip and visit to the orphanage, as she is on the run.  Fearing for her life, that has been threatened by her latest boyfriend, she wanted to see her son one more time, before leaving town.  As we sat in my office, listening to her story, tears began to stream from her eyes.  And then the moment came, when little Aaron came into my office.  He began to weep, she began to weep as she held him, and then we all began to cry.

The stories and situations that take place down here are unbelievable.  I can’t fully understand or believe what these 9 children have been through.  However, I do know that they are here, and are safe, and have a God who loves them more then anything.  He is in control, He is for them, and they now have nothing to fear.   Each night, they can now lay their heads down, rest peacefully, and be still and know that He is God.  Hallelujah!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).