Perfect Peace

We’ve heard people say being grandparents is the absolute best, and both the Verkaik’s and the Spykstra’s can add an emphatic YES to that! In the last few months Mike and Dawn and Patty and I have been blessed to add two grandson’s to the Oceans’ Team.

We lost our hearts the moment the little miracle was placed in our arms. Even though we were warned by many how amazing it is we still weren’t ready for the overwhelming bond of love cascading out of our souls.

I told Patty, I have found my new calling, a stay at home grandpa. I will miss my wife when she heads back to South Africa, but someone has to make the sacrifice to be watch my little buddy! 🙂

In all seriousness it is a miraculous gift that Abba Father uses to remind us what really matters in life and the gripping power of love. When we’ve had the opportunity to babysit Owen, time stands still and hours seem like a few minutes as we once again rediscover what caring for a baby is all about.

During one of those precious moments of holding him and watching him sleep I thought about Isaiah 26:3:

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”

This to me is about as good as it can get at describing what “perfect peace” looks like. Even though outside the walls of the house chaos and pain seemed to be swirling out all over the world. All Owen and Abram know at the moment is love, warmth, security, free food when he cries and a whole lot of adoring attention from mom, dad, and a host of family and friends.

As I thought about the latest headlines in the news; the demonic shootings, atrocities of war, political corruption, food shortages, corporate greed, and on and on the list could go. Abba Father said, “become like a little baby again rest on my lap and fix your eyes on Me and let Me hold you. securely in my arms.”

Something happens when we rest on our Father’s lap-gazing into HIs glorious face – as the old hymn declares:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things on earth will grow strangely deem in the light of His glory and grace.”

Thank you baby Owen and Abram for teaching your grandparents again that perfect peace comes from the Prince of Peace who holds His kids in HIs forever loving hands.