Peace is a Gift
by Elouise
Sometimes the most helpful thing I can do is listen to what I’ve already written. The last several weeks have been difficult. Not just for me, but for this tired old world that isn’t holding together very well. The poem below, first posted in August 2016, calls me back to what matters most for today and tomorrow, no matter what happens next.
Nurture peace in your heart—
Welcome and savor it
Cultivate it
Water it
Let it rest
Give it space
Take its time for your time
Wrap it around your body yourself
Your shawl becomes you—
Blue as the heavens
Green as the garden
Brown as the good earth
Living, fragile
Strong, unpredictable
Invasive and healing
Tiny alpine flowers
Silken threads of peace
Woven into mortal beauty
Whispers of heaven
Peace is a gift waiting to be discovered. Not ‘out there,’ but in my heart. Sometimes I lock it away. Give it up for dead. Crowd it out because of fear, sorrow or disbelief. Throw up my hands and let it go as an unrealistic dream.
Other times I want someone to hand me peace on a platter. But peace won’t come from anyone else. It’s already in me, waiting to be re-discovered and cared for. Not once or twice, but as often as needed.
Some people talk about their prayer shawls. I want a ‘peace shawl.’ An outer reminder of an inner reality that’s mine when I’m willing to care for it. No matter what’s going on in my inner or outer world.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 13 August 2016, reposted 14 August 2021
Photo of Alpine Flowers found at WallpaperWeb.org
Telling the Truth 
The rays of the sun,
their warmth and light,
become my prayer shawl
when I remain in that
bright spot beaming through
a glass door or window.
Often our pup Mindy beats me
to it so I must stand in line
awaiting for that peace
to be shared. Blessings!
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Smart Mindy! It’s good to hear from you, David. I love your poetic comment.🙏🏻
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Beautiful, SweetElouise! We can all relate.
It’s so true that peace is within us…as is joy and other needed things…we just have to access them, give them free reign. 🙂
A peace shawl sounds wonderful. I often feel covered in peace when Coops and I take a late night or early morning walk and we are covered by the sky, moon, and stars. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…your first line in this posting is so brilliant and true. Often after I’ve encouraged people, or they’ve asked for my opinion and I’ve given it, I say, “Now remember this and repeat it back to me when I need it…’cause I will need it some day.” 🙂
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Indeed! We write what we need to hear and remember!!! With so much chaos in the world today, it’s easy to forget that peace is not an enemy of truth (no matter which ‘truth ‘you believe). Sometimes it seems we’re intent on making as much ruckus as we possibly can–as though that would, in itself, change anything. I love your (ouch!) personal comment at the end–Yes indeed, we can learn a lot when we’re willing to pay attention to our own words! 🙂
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Peace resides inside us just waiting for us to rest in it and stop looking outside the Lord for it. Good encouragement to look at we have wrote ourselves to reminds us of our belief. I know in whom I have believed in and continue to learn from Him. Good post.
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Thanks for your comment. I often find myself circling back to things I’ve written, yet don’t remember writing. This one took me by surprise, especially given the state of this weary world. Just what I needed to hear, and right on time.
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