PEACE

Last week I shared with you about the peace you can feel in your heart when you embrace the current season in which you find yourself. To be grateful for all your blessings, knowing that God has you exactly where you should be. With this mindset shift comes freedom. 'If you can believe, all things are possible to them that believe'” (Mark 9:23).

Is it time to change your mindset, and renew your thoughts and ways of thinking? If you can renew your mind and thoughts toward the things of God, you can change your world. Jesus challenged people to change their thinking because regardless of how many times you read through the Bible if your mind doesn't change, you will simply impose your biases and labels on the words you read. The Bible often talks about the power of the mind and the importance of our thoughts that come from it. ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7).

The Lord knows the desires of our hearts. When I released my need to find a partner to the Lord, a peace that surpasses all understanding came over me. It was clear that it was not bringing me joy wallowing in my present situation. I realized that embracing my singleness didn’t mean that I had to embrace loneliness. Good news then arrived. A friend invited me to join her for a friendly, fun poker game with chips, no money. It was so fun to learn the strategy and good for the brain too. I was so proud of my friend as she made it to the final round. I am looking forward to going back next week, this time, armed with the statistics of when to hold them, and when to fold them. A new understanding of Kenny Rogers’s song.

You may recall from last week when I mentioned how I needed to organize the paperwork in the garage bins. While doing just that, I came across a list of things I wanted to learn that I had compiled ten years ago when I divorced. One of those was to take dance lessons. I had forgotten that I had wanted to try this. So, I took a moment to research the local dance hall, and sure enough, they are starting up lessons next week. I am going to step out, by myself, and learn how to dance. Whoever said you are too old to learn something new. Let’s just hope there is another single partner to learn with. At the very least, it will be good to exercise my body.

Then today while reading Rick Warren’s daily devotions it spoke to how the body of Christ needs us. It reminded me that I hadn’t volunteered at church for quite a while. Thanks to this nudge from the Holy Spirit, I plan to return this Sunday. This will be good for my soul, and hopefully, I can touch someone else’s heart too. What beautiful gifts the Lord is bestowing upon me. I now have reoccurring activities that are good for my mind, body, and soul. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to navigate this life, and to remember to be joyous in the season that you have me.

Please remember my friend, “ The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.” Proverbs 19:8.

Denice Choka is a child of God, a mother, an author, blogger, and encourager. You can contact her at denicechoka@gmail.com.