Peace

The challenge hostess this week is my dear friend Peggysue. She has picked this verse for this week.:

John 16:33 (NIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Her challenge is to make a card that to you represents peace or calm; with an image, color scheme, CAS layout or verse, something that speaks peace to you, but peace symbols themselves are excluded. The card has to speak peace through your own style.

The other day on facebook, one of my friends had posted a folk story about a painter who was asked by a wealthy client to paint a picture that depicted peace. He first painted a picture that showed a pastoral valley filled with flowers with mountains in the background. The client said. "No this isn't right, try again." So the painter went back to his studio and painted another painting. Each time he brought the painting of peace to the client, he was told "No, this isn't right, try again." He was getting frustrated and finally sat down and prayed. He then had the answer and went to work painting. The painting he presented to the client showed turbulent ocean crashing against the rocks, with storm clouds overhead with winds blowing. The client was confused at first, until he leaned in for a closer look at the painting. Then he smiled and said "YES, you did it." What was it that he saw? It was a little bird sitting on a nest peaceful and calm in spite of the storm.

I found another version of this folk story, with a painting called TRUE PEACE HERE.

So that along with the scripture was the inspiration for my card. Last week I was inspired by the colors of the storm outside my window to make some designer paper, with ink spray smash technique,  that looked to me like storm.I then printed the bird from My Daydream Designs - Birds and Bees Digi set. I printed the sentiment from My Daydream Designs - Birds and Bees Sentiments.

This challenge and scripture was extremely relevant to me this week.I have been going through several "Storms" of life. Trouble upon trouble. Just as soon as one storm clears, another is there. I am slowly learning that while I can't control the situations around me, the storms around me, I can find peace and shelter in the storm in Jesus. The song by Casting Crowns called "Praise you in the Storm" came to my mind this week. The other song that came to my mind was the song by Scott Krippayne called "Sometimes He calms the Storm"




There are so many days that I ask God to take away the storms and they are still there. Like the lyrics from the Casting Crown song...."I say amen, and it's still raining..." I know He can calm the storms but sometimes He doesn't. That is why I like the lyrics to the second song that  say..."Sometimes He holds us close and lets the winds and waves go wild."  What a comfort to know that if I have to go through the storm He is right there holding me and giving me peace.. 

Our sponsor this week is My Daydream Designs. You should go check out all the wonderful digital images there. I know you will find something that you will just love.

Check out what my Stampin’ Sisters in Christ have created to share with you.
Candace
Diane
Helen
Jerusha
Kris
Linda
Michelle
Miesje
Peggysue
Sandie
Traci