It started as a regular Sunday. During the message at church, Pastor shared the scripture of Jesus returning to the disciples. Then he shared tht as he typed “peace be with you” his auto correct changed it to “peace is with you.” Those words sunk deep within me. Peace is with me. It wasn’t until later in the day that I would realize the full depth of those words.
You see, we went to a movie as a family. It was a great time with the four of us. I’d been looking forward to it for weeks. There was a sad moment during the movie and I started to cry which was no surprise to the family. I do cry easily. This time I struggled to stop crying. I wanted to sob uncontrollably. It was a sad moment but not that sad.
After the movie, I was really crabby. I was struggling to be nice to hubby. Inside, I wanted to cry some more. I knew this was more than a movie, but what? Then it hit me. It was the two year anniversary of my niece’s death from cancer. Then came the real ugly cry as I though about her and the scripture from this morning.
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:19-27 NIV).
When Jesus appeared, the disciples were grieving. He entered their midst and said, “Peace is with you.” In the same way He entered in the midst of my grief and brought peace. Peace is with me. It’s the gift of Jesus. He reminded me that Steph is not gone, but always with us through Him. Even though my heart still hurts, there is peace.
How has God entered your midst and said, “Peace is with you.” How has He brought you comfort in sadness? How has He reminded you that you are not alone? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.