pressure vs. peace

 Matt drove all night and finally arrived back in Mississippi this morning.

He said Dr. Ray's funeral was really special, and really hard. The highlights were time with Ray's wife, brothers and family, and especially his children, and Dr. Bryan.  He was also overjoyed to be with Dr. Charles Lake and with Dr. Lucner!  Many were the times Dr. Lake, Matt, Lucner, Bryan and Ray gathered together in Haiti.

Matt spoke for a few minutes on behalf of Wesley, and Lucner spoke for a few minutes on behalf of Emmaus, and while Matt of course brought me NO pictures (because Matt absolutely never TAKES any pictures!), I cherish so much that they were all together remembering a man who has influenced so many lives, who has influenced mine.  

He's mostly been sleeping today and tonight took Lily and the carpool boys to CrossCountry...which they are all loving.  Lily has finally found her thing...she loves to run, she loves to push herself, and she loves outrunning older boys :). 

Tomorrow Matt's parents are coming into town for the weekend and so we're all getting geared for Glammy and Pop-Pop time and a few church events this weekend...it's been a long time since we've seen them!

I still don't have my car back, so we've been so grateful for still having our friend's car...I don't know what we'd be doing!

Our dear Edler friends made it safely back to Haiti and are living back "next door"...it's been so fun to be talking to them and hearing all the updates and has us anxious to head 'home' again.  Sofie's renewed passport just came yesterday, and we're working on our fall trip to Haiti.  You can be praying about the Lord to open a clear door.

The Lord reminded me of a big/little thing the other day and I wanted to share it with you...

He reminded me that pressure is not one of the way He guides us. Guilt, also not one of them. 

He reminded me that He leads with peace. The mark of His guidance is peace. 

As I step back and evaluate why I'm making the little and big decisions I'm making, it is so common for me to have acted out of feeling guilty if I didn't, or pressured (by someone or myself.) If we're following Him, how do I get so mixed up in following NOT His directions, not His character, not His ways.

Join me this week in the discipline of stopping for a minute, identifying the motivation, and making sure it's not one of pressure or one of guilt, but one of walking in His peace. Until His peace (often that passes understanding) guides the way, stay put, faithful ones, and wait on Him.