At the Well - Maintaining Peace In Times of Chaos

Today's topic for At the Well is "Maintaining Home Peace In Times of Chaos". How well does that fit a Monday morning? Some discussion questions are:

Life's storms will come sometimes when we least expect them,
how do we give our children a "safe feeling" in the midst of a life storm?

Sometimes chaos is created by our own efforts of trying to do too much,
how can we maintain a peaceful home where chaos is prevented?

How can we as wives and mothers actually calm the storm?

The only predictable thing about the storms of life is that they will come and you will not be ready for them. In my previous post, I shared about a phone call we received while we were touring a college campus with my oldest son. I was trying to prepare our family for the changes of graduation and college when we got a phone call that brought an unexpected change. My uncle had a heart attack that morning and passed away. Through the space of a two minute call, our lives were forever changed. He lived very close to us and it is hard to comprehend that we won't be able to look up the hill and see him outside etc. His presence will be missed dearly by us.

My family seems to cope better through storms when our schedule of doing things stays somewhat the same or familiar. We try to go about the day like other days and then discuss the different things that must be done. A calm and peaceful attitude from me is vital for the the children sake. Children seem to feed off of the attitude of the parents. If the parents fall apart under stress, the kids will also. It is certainly ok to cry, to show emotion, to let them know this is a hard thing in life, but it is more important for them to learn that a fortitude and strength can be found in the Lord and that will enable them to weather the storms of life. Letting them hear your prayers for God's strength or to hear you read a portion of Scripture clearly portrays that our trust in in God who is all powerful and provides everything we need.

Many times through the years, I have created chaos in my home, by being too busy, having too many outside activities and truly trying to do too much. There were times when our days were a blur of school, homework, sports, dinner in the car and me always saying "Hurry up, let's go." An awakening came when one of my sons answered "I don't want to hurry". The secret that helps me maintain peace is to have a plan! Either written down on paper or in my head, but plan out as many details as possible. I evaluate if this activity is needed and pair down events for what is truly needed to attend. Home responsibilities must come first, family's needs met, dinner served, tidy house, etc. Husband and children need to know what I 'm going to do and when I"ll be done. If they are going along, a plan needs to be laid out to them what we're going to do there etc. Through good communication all aspects are covered and everyone knows what to expect and no one is floundering around wondering "what's going on?"

As mothers when the storms come, the best thing we can do to help calm them is to have our souls anchored in the Lord. Seek Him first for every decision, attitude and action. Seek His peace and direction and then move forward. Sometimes we need to get up and take one step, do the first thing that needs to be done, then the next thing. Ask God to let us move forward with a calm and peaceful spirit. Move purposefully, speak encouraging and hopeful words. Keep God's Word close to your heart. Here are a few of my favorite Scriptures for peace during the storms:

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You..."
Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint."
Psalms 91:2 "I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe."

So, the storms of life will come, but when they come we have a strength and help greater than the storm and through Him, we will come through the storms of life stronger and better.