You don't have to be around me for long before you learn of my deep appreciation of several authors. Some of them are on repeat...kinda like my favorite songs on my iPod. Years ago, I fell in love with Brennan Manning. I felt like his words were written just for me. I devoured his books & then promptly forgot what I had learned. Grr.
So, this past year I have begun reading differently. It is a SLOOOW process for a fast reader, but my system seems to be getting the words stuck in my heart & head. The process is so simple that I am almost embarrassed that I didn't think of it & put it into practice before.
So, here it is...
I read one chapter in the book. Underline the passages that really speak to me. Make notes in the margin of the book. (I rarely loan my favorite books. If you ask to borrow one of my faves, I'll most likely go to Amazon & buy you a copy before I loan out my marked-up, dog-eared copy. One, because I don't ever seem to get my books back. And, two...because I want you to a have copy that YOU can mark up. I'm totally cool with this.)
After one chapter, I write down the passages that I underlined & my thoughts from the margins into my journal. I have found that any more than one chapter & I feel overwhelmed by what I have to transcribe.
Something happens as I write down those words onto the pages of my journal...
it's as if the words dig down deep into my soul. They begin to take root.
Soon they begin to grow & flourish.
I reference my journals ALL. THE. TIME.
I cut out pages of magazines & glue them in there as well.
I print inspirational quotes from the internet & tape them to the pages.
I stick yellow post-it notes everywhere on the pages because my journal wasn't handy when I read something I wanted to remember.
I shared ALL this to say (and kudos if you are still around) that I have spent the past several days mediating on a passage from Abba's Child by Brennan Manning.
There are some things going on in my life. I've eluded to them, but don't feel released to share them just yet. The situation is heart-wrenching. The future holds great uncertainty. And, I'm scared, anxious, worried...the list goes on.
So, I took great comfort in my bud, Brennan's, words the other evening.
He shared that if we are in Christ; we are in His peace.
That the peace that passes ALL understanding is NOT subjective.
That peace is ours no matter if we feel it or not.
Somewhere in my human mind I had thought that someday I would "attain" that peace...once I was a "good" enough Christian, memorized enough scripture, told enough people about Jesus...the list, again, goes on.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As I read it again, he is right.
There aren't any caveats.
That PEACE is mine.
And, it will guard my broken heart & anxious mind.
Can a sista get an AMEN???
Today, I'm walking around with such an assurance of His peace.
So relieved that it isn't attained by anything I have to do except love Him.
Friends, if you're in it deep like me.
Grasp onto this truth.
Dig in deeper to Him.
Rest in the promise of His peace.
(peace picture from google images)
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