Plugged Into Peace

  Forgiveness: A Command and Blessing Today is the day—pie day! I am so excited. My husband just made his amazing sweet potato pie. This pie is so delicious that it makes my youngest son and me behave as if we were hired for pie duty, with our only task being to make sure we each got a slice—and only us. Equally—because we are not allies. Things became more territorial after convincing my husband to make mini pies so we could ration them equally. I don’t know what he puts in the pie that makes it so addictive, but our home becomes a battle zone over equal rights to pie. We don’t become mean, but we do become steadfast. Well, on this day, things were rough. Husband made two single pies—one each for me and my son. Things went wrong when my husband wanted a taste of his own creation. He wanted my pie. Before he made the pies, my son and I shared our expectations since he refused to make minis. The understanding was that my son and I weren’t going to share our pies with anyone—...

  Relax, Relate, Release: Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos What a day! Things go wrong, and suddenly it feels like the ground has been pulled from beneath you. One conversation leaves you angry. One piece of news makes you lose hope. One situation leaves you scared. The emotions pile up until you feel like the wind has been knocked out of your body. Sometimes you hear it in an audible sigh, a deep exhale, or even a frustrated outburst. Other times your body reveals the inner storm through nausea, headaches, hives, lightheadedness, or aches and pains. Stress has a way of making itself known. No matter the trigger—whether you caused it or not—the result is the same: life feels unfavorable, overwhelming, and unfair. But here’s the truth: a meltdown may be understandable, but staying in that place is never beneficial. When Feelings Take Over Picture this: A driver cuts you off and brake-checks you on your normal commute. In the moment, you react. By the time you reach your de...