By Wanda Billbe
The alarm sounded at 4:20 a.m. Snooze button activated. I roll over, hoping it was just a dream; and pray I can sleep for a few more hours.
No such luck. Ten minutes later music plays and I pop out of bed and start my routine.
Let Maggie (our dog) out, start breakfast, put on my headphones and jump on the exercise bike. Two miles everyday doesn't seem like much, but it makes me feel better and so I continue.
Get snacks for work together for my husband and me, shower, make-up, dress and dash out the door praying we won't be late.
In the car, I put on my badge and keys, tuck necessities into my pockets and scarcely before I look up again, we are in the parking lot and the clock reads 6:54.
A mad dash to the elevator, clock in, hang up my coat and before I set my purse on the floor, people step into the office and need help.
From the moment I enter the office until I leave at night, there are small fires to put out; someone always needing something, if only to vent.
By the time I climb into the car at night, I'm spent. But then, there's an errand or two to run, a birthday gift to pick up, a cake to order or a going away gift to select on behalf of the office staff. (We've had three people leave our department in the past several weeks.)
Arrive home, start dinner, unload the goodies from the store, iron clothes for work the next day, eat, clean up dishes and maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll stay awake during a 45-minute DVD of an old "Murder She Wrote."
Peace feels as far away as Florida, and I long to be carefree and have nothing more pressing to do than lay on a sun-warmed beach, watching the waves roll in and the tide rise.
Ironically, we've had one of the coldest winters on record, and it feels like we'll never see the Sun.
Then into my thoughts pop songs about peace. "Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace...coming down from the Father above..."
"I've Got Peace Like A River" and "There Will Be Peace In The Valley for Me, Someday."
The realization comes that I've let circumstances rob me of my peace. If you dwell on crazy schedules, the hectic workplace and chores you have to do at home, of course there'll be a gap as big as the Grand Canyon between you and peace.
I had to stop, drop all of my activities and take a few minutes to ask our heavenly Father above to give me peace.
It's amazing how quickly He responds and how much better you feel. Responsibilities didn't change, I did. I felt more relaxed, at peace and better able to cope with the pressures of the day.
And then I stop to wonder: What took me so long to ask for help? With a one-sided smile, I realize our heavenly Father probably asked the same question.
It's human nature to muddle through. It's heavenly bliss to ask for His help and feel His peace surround you.
