As I sit in my room
Bible on my lap
I flip through the pages and read about You
But today is different

I can’t seem to FOCUS on the words in front of me
I can’t seem to FIND HOPE or words of encouragement in the pages
I sigh and close my eyes, feeling tired and weary

Suddenly a light and gentle breeze sweeps through the room
The air is filled with peace, as a Voice like a waterfall whispers, “Rest in Me”
I let His words wash over me

I reply back dejectedly, “I’ve tried Lord, can’t You see?
I’ve been trying to read Your Word and pray as well”

Silence fills the air
I slump my shoulders in despair

I hear His voice again:
“Daughter, lean back and rest in My arms. Let Me give you peace”

I want to argue back; He didn’t answer my question, but my heart tells me to obey Him
I lean back
I feel His arms and peace around me, even though I can’t see Him

The air shifts
PEACE and LOVE linger in the air

Then there’s an image in front of me:
An image of Bible stories
I watch with wide eyes, as different stories unfold right before my eyes
I see characters who feel rejected and despised
I see hope and healing unfolding, story after story
Unexpectedly, a tear drips down my face as I watch the different stories pass by

I realize He is making the Bible come to life
He is showing me that I’m not the only one who feels this way
He’s showing me how others have found peace and rest in Him
Even in hard times

I watch as the last story unfolds—
A glorious battle
Trumpets blow
A King stands victorious over the defeated enemy
Now there finally is peace—true peace

The scene fades to black and I’m still in my room
Before I can speak, I hear His voice say,
“Daughter, I am with you always;
like these stories, I can bring you peace, but you have to learn to rest in Me”

I nod my head and smile a bit
“I will, even when it gets hard”

I feel Him embrace me
I smell peace in the air
Then I hear Him declare,
“I love you, dear”

Then His voice disappears
I know He is gone, but He isn’t gone either

I still feel His PRESENCE
I still sense His PEACE
I still feel His LOVE washing over me

I smile and look down at the Bible on my lap
I take a deep breath and begin to read
Instead of now focusing on the negative parts,
I read of hope, and healing unfolds as well
I read stories I had skipped or skimmed over
I read of unlikely heroes
Of victories and defeats
But what I see and feel mostly is God’s everlasting peace