In the Middle of the Christmas Season, Jesus Says, ‘Peace, Be Still!’, by Nancy Flory

“Peace, be still!” That verse from Mark 4:39 plays over and over in my mind. Between household chores, family gatherings and travel, my mind is spinning. It seems that our family hasn’t slowed down since before Thanksgiving, when we went to my mother-in-law’s house in Louisiana. I’ve dealt with business trips, sleep apnea, nausea and lots of blood tests. My family has had illnesses and doctors’ appointments and my husband has even had two minor surgeries. My nephew has had two grand mal seizures recently, my niece has strep and my elderly parents are ill, too. This on top of the normal, frazzled holiday hustle and bustle.

And yet, in the middle of it all, I hear “Peace, be still!”

Soon, my family will be sitting down to a turkey feast with all the trimmings at my parent’s — or sister’s — house. They haven’t decided yet and that indecision makes me uneasy, too. But is it really a time for unrest? …

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