The Missing Peace

Have you ever felt like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole?

Do your days center around trying to live up to the expectations of others or the world itself?

Are you missing peace in your days?

I’ve often felt like a misfit in my life; unable to be what others wanted me to be, or incapable of fitting into the mold, or round hole, that the world has offered me. Feeling like this has often led to a sense of rejection and a lack of peace, which, if I am honest, keeps me from fulfilling my purpose…the reason I am here.

How often do we put what others think of us, or their expectations in front of how God sees us? We try to fit our God shaped bodies into world shaped holes, and when the edges get stuck? We shove. We push. We carve away what makes us unique in an effort to fit into that space; to be what the hole wants us to be. But in the process are we carving away who we are? Are we cutting off the special parts that God has given us to fulfill his purpose for our lives?

Maybe those protuberances are the exact pieces that we need to fit into God’s puzzle.

Quite possibly, you are the missing piece in another’s situation, and unless you have the strength to walk away from the world and its enticements, you may never fill that position; the God hole you were made for.

You, my sisters and brothers, have the strength of God in you. You do not have to cut away who He made you to be, in order to fit into the mold the world wants you to appropriate. There is a perfect sized place, exactly for you that will bring you a sense of purpose and peace.

But only through God can you find the missing peace.

“Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

The Christmas season is a great opportunity to push against expectations of the world. Here are just a few examples of the small changes that can have ripple effects in the hearts of:

  • When someone says Happy Holidays, reply with a Merry Christmas

  • Hand make all of your gifts to give giving your unique touch instead of the worlds

  • Give the gift of truth: give bibles to everyone on your list. There are numerous translations and study subjects to fit anyone’s needs, such as:

  1. The archaeological study bible (maps charts and cultural facts bring the ancient biblical world to life)
  2. First Century Study bible (early Christian cultural, religious and historical background)
  3. Spiritual renewal study bible (transformation through personal reflection and guided study)
  4. Life application study bible (understanding God’s word in relation to life today)
  5. NIV Leadership bible (strengthens with timeless leadership principles of the bible)
  6. Case for Christ study bible (informative resource for seekers and sceptics outlining the existence of a compassionate God and the promise of eternal life through His son Jesus Christ)
  7. Women of Faith Study bible (Character sketches of over 75 women of the bible, written for today’s Christian woman)
  8. Teen study bible (timeless truths for teens to apply for today’s issues in this changing world)
  9. Busy Mom’s study bible (One minute thoughts and devotions geared towards the busy mom)

Life shouldn’t be so stressful – find the missing peace today!

In keeping with the theme of non-conformity, I do not have a cookie recipe for you today, but instead a recipe for Fruit and Nut Granola.  I’ve been making this recipe for years and I really love sprinkling it on yogurt or eating it as a cereal with milk. Very hearty and healthful! You can also package it in decorative jars and give as a gift.  Enjoy!

Still need the cover? Get it here:cover

Download today’s pdf. Here:Dec 24

Fruit and Nut Granola

4 cups regular oats

½ cup toasted or honey-crunch wheat germ

½ cup sliced almonds

¼ cup dry milk

¼ cup sunflower seed kernels

2 Tbs. sesame seeds

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. salt

½ cup honey

¼ cup orange juice

2 tsp vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cooking spray

1 cup chopped dry mixed fruit

1 cup golden yellow raisins

½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine honey and orange juice in a small saucepan over a medium heat and cook 4 minutes or until warm. Add the oil and vanilla, stir with a whisk. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture and toss well.
  3. Spread oat mixture onto a jelly roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, stir. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until crisp. Cool in pan. Place oat mixture in a large bowl, stir in dried fruits.

Yield: 8 cups  - store in an airtight container, will keep up to 2 weeks

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