Spell PEACE to Soothe and Sustain the Soul

Sometimes we need to spell JOY to grow, other times we spell PEACE to solve the needs. 

Yet in order to bring JOY and PEACE in our life, we must select the most relevant actions based on personal revelation. 

Women give and receive in various motherly ways, so holy and healthy priorities are key to center the soul throughout the personal seasons of trials and blessings.

We all seek to soothe and sustain the soul with various life strategies. If we think of a kitchen and favorite family recipes, we notice that a group develops preferred flavors then adaptations for a recipe. Each can fit the need for which the craving longs. And as various recipes are used, new tools may be explored. Like the stove, oven, microwave, crockpot, Instapot, or even raw, each food preparation serves different outcomes. This meal-prep analogy explores different tools for various cooking methods and allows room to find what works for each season.

A common philosophy of JOY is putting Jesus first, other-focused next and ourselves (you) last. It works because God blesses us in mysterious ways as we put spiritual things first. As we put the most important priorities in place first (like the keystone of Christ), let that divine love expand through action to serve others (ministering), then we can succeed even as we let our personal agendas come last. 

I’ve often said this verse to myself to practice JOY: 

• • Jesus first to center the soul, 

• • Others come next in a contributing role,

• Yourself with an unselfish, eternal goal.

As we focus on these ideas with careful prayer and divine guidance with how/when/what to do, we can find solace and strength. Yet, there are some times, especially in Motherhood when we neglect our personal needs so often by consistently putting ourselves last, which drains the bucket to leave us empty and suffering. 

In Ecclesiastes 3:1 it reads: “To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” This beautiful Biblical scripture reminds us of different seasons and reasons to make adjustments for various needs.  Barbara Thompson reminds us, “Ideals are stars to guide us by, not sticks to beat us by.” 

It is important to be compassionate and gracious with ourselves and others as we voyage in this life. We need not compare nor remain rigid in the various seasons and adventures of life.  So possibly, sometimes we could practice another recipe. We can spell another way to create a restoring path of balanced Mothering and Discipleship as we explore our personal power.

If we spell PEACE, this may be a refreshing recipe to add to our spiritual resources. Peace stands for preparation, eternity, action, connection and education. As we remember these words we can adjust for both the spiritual devotion and self-compassion needed to work out our salvation. 

Preparation begins by establishing a path of holiness with daily righteous routines. This includes holy habits of prayer, patience, and power. Self-care is a key to health, yet we can’t stay in that stage, we must prep then move forward. 

Eternity is the big picture and this includes spiritual matters of faith using an eternal perspective that elevates our soul. We can include additional words that elaborate spiritual concepts (and customize the recipe), like believing we are enough, seeking endowments of internal power, and enduring well. 

Action is required to make anything excel and achieve greatness. Life is a DIY project and we must do the work to create our personal goals and make them a reality. As women, we are home-makers and peace-makers. This role requires active plans for building a spiritual home and managing the parts of a physical home. It is critical to take time to have both “Mary and Martha” actions in our day. To make time for the spiritual “Mary time” seeking Jesus, AND the time for domestic duties of “Martha” running the house and serving the people. We will be blessed as we “choose the good part” needed for that day or season. 

Connection is the next ingredient to the recipe of PEACE. Children and family need compassion and connection before being taught. We can better coach them as we love with charity. We may need to pray and develop the muscles to connect and love in that deep way but it is worth the work to choose family again and again through the hard to grow stronger. 

Education is essential to learning and as parents, we are the primary spiritual educators of the home. In the “Come Follow Me” curriculum the family can exercise those spiritual muscles together. As wife and mother, we can take the initiative to call the family every day, hand out scriptures, read and pray to feel the Spirit together. We all need it daily. Both spiritual and intellectual education will greatly bless our families as we regularly work to apply the grit and practice for soul-growth. 

In Proverbs 14:1, it reads: “Every wise woman buildeth her house.” It is our invitation and opportunity to be wise and build upon strong foundations of faith. We can organize every needful thing to establish a house of prayer, faith, learning, etc to have a house of God. (D&C 88:119)

Julie B. Beck has inspiring words to guide and motivate us:  “A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do…But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently. The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.… Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed. Promised personal revelation comes when we ask for it, prepare for it, and go forward in faith, trusting that it will be poured out upon us.” 

Stephen R. Covey encourages: “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically – to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.” 

Motherhood is a path to learn, refine and purify our hearts, then to serve and assist others along the way. We need to prayerfully ponder and be selective in how we build a heavenly home. And in the measuring stick of life, we can revise the barometer and engage in activities that elevate the heart to act with the best personal goals as guiding stars.

May both these recipes of JOY and PEACE serve you in various times of learning and growth. Sometimes the solution is to focus on Jesus, Others then Yourself. Other times we can take the approach to spell out Peace through Preparation, Eternity, Action, Connection and Education.  In solving the struggles of life, God can guide and sustain us as we turn toward God, prioritize the spiritual strategies then work to be true disciples of Jesus Christ in all we do. 

Reflective Questions –

What holy habits can you do to be present, have charity and personal power in your life?

Explore what things you have control over in your home and mothering, then use your energy to act on those today.

How do you feel called to connect and educate in your circle of influence?

Photo by michael rechenberg on Unsplash