How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Peace

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Debi Walter

Peace. We all long for peace. But peace isn’t what many of us expect. It isn’t silence or a lack of any thing that irritates or troubles us.

This is one of our favorite scenes from the movie, What About Bob? Dr. Leo Marvin is practicing his acceptance speech when he is interrupted. This leads him to lose it–he screams at his son and his patient, Bob….

Peace. We have all craved it in the way Dr. Marvin did here. But peace isn’t a synonym of quiet; No. Peace is having calm in the midst of the struggle, and it is only possible from God who rules over every storm we will face.

It would be nice to have a peace monitor in our home that displays when peace is high or low. We could make adjustments before peace is completely gone! And we could relax a bit when peace is at it’s peak. But alas, there is no such peace monitor.

However, in marriage we have been given the next best thing. Another to come alongside us when we are struggling and remind us of where true and lasting peace is found. It comes from the manger on display in many of our homes. Jesus Christ broke through the barrier that sin (the thief of peace) took from us.

This year is like none other in our family.

Christmas will be spent at home with Tom, my Father-in-love and me. Gifts are not being exchanged by friends, nor are we seeing our kids or grandkids. For me–whose love language is gift-giving and quality time, I am struggling in the peace department. Not to mention the waiting and watching as our youngest grandson spends his first Christmas in NICU. Tom has been my help and support, reminding me of what matters most, as he so often has our entire marriage.

Emotions can’t be trusted. But God can be!

He has provided a peace that surpasses our understanding. It is an unexplainable peace that not only brings rest, but security. I have no fear of where I stand with Him because Christ has bridged the gap that separated us.

Peace is found in Christ alone, and I am grateful to celebrate my 51st birthday as a born-again Christian this month.

What is the peace level in your home? Ask your spouse if you aren’t sure. And if you don’t know Jesus as the friend, brother and Savior that He is, I invite you to ask Him for the only peace that will remain for eternity, peace with God.

Post script: When I read this to Tom, he kissed me and gave me an assignment–to read this post as a devotion everyday between now and Christmas. He is my very own peace monitor. 🙂

About Debi Walter

Tom and Debi have been sharing encouragements through their blogs for many years. Marriage, Reading God's Word and documenting family history is our focus. Growing in our relationship with the Lord is primary in all we say, write or do. We are grateful for all who desire to join us in the same endeavors.
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2 Responses to How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Peace

  1. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser says:
    December 10, 2020 at 11:17 am

    First and foremost, we’re praying or your grandson…and for you.

    There’s one thing that we have found
    that we must release
    and place at rest beneath the ground:
    the need for blissful peace.
    Outnumbered by the canine crew,
    Labs and Pits and Collies,
    we’re treated to a witches’ brew
    of vocalising follies
    when they think they hear a cat
    (their frenzied barks would wake the dead)
    or when they are quite certain that
    they might not be fed,
    assuming Barb and I might dine
    on their canned food and cheap red wine.

    Like

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