The Peaceful Place

A very messy, unstructured poem, reflecting the chaos of life and the curious search for peace.

I sat by the water and asked Him sincerely,

“God, what is my word for this year?

Please, tell me now, what is it truly?”

I waited in silence - in stillness - with fear,

For a profound answer,

To flow into my ear.

I had spun words in my mind,

“Is it this or is it that?

Perhaps, it is victory, or joy that I’ll find.”

But as I waited for His response,

And stilled the noise in my head.

I felt the quiet tug in the core of my chest.

“Turn and look behind you,” He said.

I wondered, what could He possibly mean?

Look behind and take a guess…

Some bush, a bridge, a road, a rail?

These are all just meaningless,

Empty and frail.

He whispered to me,

“Child, look at the detail.

Take a closer look,

Right there on the rail.”

I glanced at the writing,

Etched in the steel.

“Peaceful place,” I murmured,

Before glancing back at the teal.

“That there is your word.”

He said so quietly.

But is it really?

What does it mean?

These are simply my thoughts,

what else could I glean?

Yet, I carried it home,

Like a lamp to light the way.

To venture to find,

Peace for each day.

I thought, perhaps, peace is found,

in the arms of my lover,

In His voice, oh that sweet sound!

Warm and safe and chill.

Where my mind stops racing,

And my heart is still.

This is my peaceful place.

I know it so well.

But soon my lover’s arms fade,

Out of the story titled my life.

Maybe that wasn’t where peace is found?

I will keep looking around.

I roam far and wide,

Is it in the forest, or by the seaside?

Where does peace reside?

Amidst familiar walls?

Laughter's echoes, friendship's calls?

I seek, with hope in stride.

Yet it slips through my grasp,

Like grains of sand in one’s clasp.

Life's chaos - relentless and vast -

Tosses me like a small rowboat,

In the ocean's mighty waves…

Adrift, uncertain, and aghast.

Yet, I feel Peace.

What is this peace that if feel deep inside?

I journey into the corners of my soul,

Searching the depths of my heart.

Rummaging through the pain of the present,

I find the treasure in the darkness.

I find assurance and promise,

a richness of calm.

I find hope in knowing that,

my future is within His palm.

“Lord, I do not understand,

Why I feel peace…or even joy!

When my whole world is crumbling,

Is this just some ploy?

“This is incomprehensible,

Can I grieve, can I process?

What do I do with this trouble?

Do I hold on, let go?

You set out a giant feast,

Whetting my appetite.

A spread of the finest foods and drinks,

Only to be removed, is that right?

Replaced with a broad spread,

Of adversity for food and suffering for drink.

You knew I was hungry and in need,

Why can I not feast and be merry?

You made promises,

Yet they were torn away from me.

But I know that you’re not a liar,

Maybe it was my own prophecy?”

Suddenly, I heard him whisper,

Three small, yet powerful words.

“Don’t doubt, trust.” He silenced me.

“Do I not love you more than the birds?”

My Peace was found when I looked inward,

And upward to The One who is.

When I kept my eyes on the goal,

And trusted, instead of getting in a tizz.

When my foundation is torn from under me,

I still stand strong.

Because Peace is surrounding,

When everything goes wrong.

In my journey I have learnt much,

And my roots have stretched deeper.

In adversity I have developed hope,

I’m no longer a weeper.

In the trial it’s a comfort around me,

Holding me tight.

It’s a gentle whisper in the noise,

Or a dim light in the night.

My peaceful place is eternal.

It’s found in His arms.

The Lord, my God and Creator,

Is the firm foundation I stand upon.

His Peace carries me through the storm,

Leading before me and following behind.

It’s not temporary, like that of a lover, or the lakeside.

No, it’s never-ending and incomprehensible.

It’s solid and unfailing.

I have found my Peaceful Place.

It is here.

I am home.