4 Ps for Peace

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

-John 14:27

August hints at transitioning to Autumn with some cooling rains washing away Southern summer stickiness. Personally, as my pregnant stomach bellow outwards and two of my children venture onwards to school, a season of change shifts internally and externally in our household. So, as common in my current state, I must remember to "P"; well the four "Ps" in order to find peace through patience.

1. PAUSE: when stress sneaks in frustration desiring to be released in anger or despairing, breathing in deeply- at least three trinity breathes (In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) or simply tapping on my forehead for a few seconds to calm my brain's amygdala.

2. PRAY: a short simple "Jesus have mercy on me a sinner" or even just "God help me", when triggered by others (traffic, feeling rushed and whining requires divine intervention for any peace to occur within me!).

3. PRAISE: counting the blessings in the moment with "thank you for this opportunity to grow" or "thank you for this child to love on right now", or "thank you for that lovely sky Lord" shifts the mindset from control freak to beloved child of God.

4. PURSUE: now calmed, centered and connected to a purpose beyond just one's own immediate reaction- time to approach the daily to-dos after the internal "to-bes" centered. Rather than  just going through the motions, to pursue means moving with intention; each tasks aligned with personal goals (i.e, pursing my personal values of connection, compassion and curiousity).

  So as your own personal seasons shift into hopefully cooler weather, may you discover peace through patience by pausing, praying, praising and pursing.