Rhythms of life that lead to peace

Princess

As I was walking around the Project Canaan this morning (88 F at 8AM) I was listening to a podcast from the Proverbs 31 Ministry titled “4 Rhythms to Renew Your Mind”.  Author Rebekah Lyons talked about how the daily struggles with anxiety and stress make it difficult to receive God's peace. She went on to talk about “four rhythms to find rescue in the midst of life being hard.”  

 

As I listened I first started to think about different rhythms around me. To start I could feel the rhythm of my own steps as I walked around the farm and I could see the rhythm of today’s walking buddy, Jack, as he bounced along the road in front of me greeting all the birds and monkeys as he passed. 

 

But the podcast wasn’t about literal rhythms with a beat, it was more about finding a way to finding rhythms in life so that you can find peace and purpose.

That lead my mind to think of my friend Doni Robinson who lost her husband Dan this week. The rhythm of his heart stopped beating unexpectedly during the night leaving Doni and family shattered by the unexpected loss of an incredible husband, father and friend. Dan was Chloe’s high school principal at the Morrison Academy in Taiwan. It was Dan who accepted Chloe’s application to attend school there which changed the trajectory of her life.  Dan’s life had purpose and I pray that Doni and her family will find His peace in that knowledge.

 

Doni and Kerry Tong in 2015 holding baby River before he came home to us.

Next my mind went to the rhythm of American society that has been disrupted by fear, hatred and sickness. I read it in the messages of my co-workers, I see it on social media and hear it in the international news covering what is happening in the U.S. I pray that my Christian friends will be able to humble themselves and look to the Prince of peace during these turbulent times KNOWING that God has a plan and purpose for all things and He will not waste any of this.

 

From there my mind moved to thinking about staff members here at Project Canaan and in our U.S. office who are struggling to fight Covid-19 in their own bodies. And then to the staff member who tested negative for Covid-19, but is now coughing up blood, causing us to suspect Tuberculosis. Sickness and horrific health issues are part of the rhythm of our lives every day here in Eswatini. Only Jesus can bring us peace each and every day so that we can continue on fulfilling His purpose for us.

 

Lastly, my mind went to my friend Chris Cheek who would often post photos and comments about the rhythm of life here on Project Canaan. The thought of that rhythm helped restore my mind and soul to a place of peace this morning and reminded me of my own purpose.  I got home, had a cold shower and headed down to see the 200 children who were all taking turns in their house pools.  The ones who weren’t in the pool were enjoying the sprinklers, doing handstands and cartwheels, playing checkers or getting their hair done. Just a normal Saturday with the normal rhythm of life with 275 children in a tiny kingdom in Africa.

 

I pray that you will be intentional in finding healthy habits that help you find a rhythm that leads to His perfect peace and the knowledge that you are fulfilling His purpose for your life.  You only live once. Let us all do it with intentionality, faith in the One who created us and with love for one another.

 

Live from Eswatini … may His peace be upon you.

Janine