It was an exceptionally tranquil morning! The quiet stillness in our house is resonating with what I was feeling. I was in deep gratitude for all the blessings in my life. Our youngest daughter just graduated from college, and our three daughters will be home for the summer.
My mom is turning 85 years old in July, and my siblings and I are planning her birthday celebration. I was immersed in a state of thanksgiving to God, filled with appreciation and joy.
Later that day, I received a call from San Diego. My mother has fallen from her bed, was unconscious and the paramedics were on their way to get her. I called our oldest daughter who was in San Diego. She happened to be close by, and within minutes she was updating me of what was happening. She was with my mom just the day before and was so shocked to see her grandmother unable to respond to her. My mom was taken to the Intensive Care Unit, where it was determined that she had a stroke.
I quietly said a prayer of thanksgiving, repeatedly affirming the truth that wherever my mom is, God is, and all is well. Giving thanks always worked wonders in whatever challenge I may have. I immediately informed my brothers and sisters.
In the book, “The I of the Storm” by Gary Simmons, it describes the hurricane’s eye, its center, as a single theoretical point in space where forces of the storm are in perfect equilibrium. At the eye , there is peace, clarity and stillness no matter how much destruction the storm may be wielding.”
Similarly, when it feels like a storm is around us, whether dealing with health or relationship challenges or whichever turmoil at hand, our job is to find that center “I” where there is only peace. It is in that center where we can remain at peace no matter what is happening outside of us.
I saw my mom the very next day. She could hardly speak and open her eyes, but her first words were, “What did you eat? Where will you stay?” and “I’m alright.” I knew my mom was coherent because it is her nature to make sure that I ate, had a comfortable place to stay, and would not be worried about her. Even in her seeming disorientation, she was still very alert to my needs.
Seeing her weak condition was a challenge to not be fearful. My mom raised all six of us children alone after she became a widow at 42. She has been an amazing pillar of strength while we were growing up. She was focused on taking care of us and continuously prayed for our success and well-being.
In any challenge, the uncertainty of what will happen next can be scary and can drain one’s energy.
During these times, I take comfort in Jesus’ powerful command,
“Peace Be Still.”
When I picked up the book, “I of the Storm for Teens” by Jane Simmons, the very page described the story of Jesus, from the book of Mark, when a great storm arose while He was asleep in the boat with His disciples. Jesus’ disciples grew scared and woke him up. The storm subsided when he spoke the words, “PEACE BE STILL.”
The book relates the story as “a wonderful metaphor for the storm of our lives. We may sometimes feel that we are being bounced about by every wave, at the mercy of the ocean of life. When that happens, we can go within to the Christ that lies sleeping and ask for help in calming the storms. On the ocean’s surface, there may be tremendous storms but at its depths, there is only silence, calmness and peace. In the same way, at our depths, in the stillness of our hearts we are always at peace.”
Being still, in the awareness of the sacred Presence and Power of God, the peace that passes all understanding then becomes the reality in outer experience.
