My two-year-old daughter loves to play games. And unfortunately for this mama-with-places-to-be-at-a-certain-time, that game is not something calm, cooperative and peaceful.
My girl loves to be chased.
I blame her Daddy. Because yeah, it is super fun to play “Chase around the table in our pajamas” when we have nowhere to be on a Saturday morning. Her peals of laughter make it almost worth it.
Almost.
Until I am trying to rock the solo-parenting gig and have somewhere to be and she decides that “Hey Charis-girl, let’s get your shoes on. It’s time go,” is actually code for “Hey sweet-slimy little toddler, please take off running so Mama will have to break a sweat trying to catch you after she has already worked out and showered this morning, making us all a bit late arriving to our final destination.”
This chase-play-game is especially difficult right after bath time. She loves running around naked (who doesn’t?) but refuses to pause to a least get dry before streaking through the room.
Have you ever tried to catch a wet toddler? It is like subduing a greased pig. (If you haven’t caught a greased pig before, just find a county fair and sign up.)
For someone so small, she sure is slimy. And agile.
Some days, I practically have to tackle her. By that point, she is no longer just slimy and slick– she is also angry.
Let the flailing commence.
But friend, know that once I have finally caught her, I am going to hold onto her for all I am worth. Because her anger just gives her fuel if she happens to escape. Nothing short of a well-placed foot-to-my-chin is going to make me release my grip on her. (Although that does happen on occasion.)
Recently, during one of these current fiascos, I was holding her on my lap at the supper table trying to calm her down after she woke up super-cranky from a nap. I was about at my wit’s end, so I literally opened the Bible and started reading out loud.
Over the screams-for-no-reason-that-I-could-determine, Psalm 34:14b in The Message nearly jumped off the page at me:
“Embrace Peace– Don’t let it get away!”
As I sat there trying to console my beyond angry toddler (and yes, I tried sitting her down in the floor– that only made it worse) God spoke to me through those words. This year, I am on a quest for rest. Rest in all things, in all moments– for my body, spirit, mind. I am finding that rest is a foundation for so many other God-like fruits.
Like joy. Hurry steals joy. So when I rest, I find more joy.
And stamina. Resting gives me the ability to persevere.
Probably the biggest one is peace. And not just any peace. God’s peace. Peace that passes understanding. Rest has been foundational to grasping peace that seems to be more elusive than a freshly-bathed-streaking-dripping toddler.
Since peace seems to be so slick, I have taken this scripture to heart. When I get a hold of peace, I embrace it. I grasp it tightly, clinging to it for all I am worth.
Because I don’t want it to get away. With God’s help, holding onto peace, regardless of my circumstances (drippy or otherwise) is absolutely possible.
Think to yourself for a moment: In what moments or circumstances do you need to hold onto peace the tightest? What is your strategy? I always welcome feedback. Leave a comment below.
Dearest reader, I encourage you to run after peace with the fervency of chasing a drippy toddler in the living room. (Gently) wrestle it to the ground and hold onto it for all you are worth.
Because God’s peace is a treasure that we don’t want to let get away.
Holding Tight,
“Seek peace and pursue it.” ~Psalm 34:14b NIV
Linking up today with Kelly, Laura at Playdates with God, Joan’s Beauty in His Grip, Jen over at Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood, and Hazel via Tell Me a Story. Be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
