By Heather Spiva 
Several months ago during my morning walk on my neighborhood trails, two deer poked their heads up from the tall grasses and watched me walk along the path I was on. I stopped as soon as I saw them, hoping they wouldn’t run off. I watched them watching me, and we did a little visual dance of watching each other as my dog and I meandered past their breakfast nook.
They were silent but cautious, their ears twitching with every little noise we made. Chewing on the grasses and stepping gingerly away from us as they ate, their presence was lovely and a peaceful sight.
My morning walks are usually uneventful. While the trails by my house are magnificent, I spend most of my walks praying to God alongside my senior dog, Sierra, who is nearly 14 years old. She and I don’t see much wildlife in the early morning even though the wildlife is plentiful. My pup enjoys the walks as much as I do and being in nature at the beginning of the day feels like connecting with a heavenly atmosphere.
But, there was something special about this morning. The air felt a little more still, the birds were more silent than usual, and there was a peace that seemed to float about us as we walked our usual route.
While the deer watched us pass them, I felt a deep peace transcend over us. I wanted to keep that peace with me all day; I wanted to take it with me, it felt so nice. If only that peace could be with me during the rest of the day, a day I knew was going to be busy with work, life, family, and home.
Then I realized, I could have that peace all the time. Feeling that peace reminded me this same peace is always available to me, not just in nature and not only when I pray. Peace isn’t just a feeling but an active choice. Peace is there to draw from when my day becomes hectic, with new problems to solve, and difficult things to do. Peace is available anytime because I place my trust in God no matter my circumstances. Peace is a deep well of a welcome respite if I know where to go for it.
As it says in Isaiah, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you (Isaiah 26: 3, NIV). The key to keeping that peace is keeping my mind steadfast on Him rather than the circumstances. And that is a difficult task to undertake. So many things steal my peace! From family squabbles, and traffic jams, to a long line at the grocery store—it’s all peace-stealing.
But, when I focus on Him, on the One who made everything in my sight—including the serene deer or the crushingly slow car in front of me—I know that even if my peace evaporates, I can regain that peace by focusing my faith in Him. Choosing peace, choosing to have peace is up to me, regardless of my current surroundings.
Things may feel as chaotic and crazy as a zoo, but I can keep a steadfast peace in my heart and mind because that is God’s will for my life. Peace is a choice. It may be a challenge to find because it likes to play hide and seek with me every day. But, having a peaceful heart and mind is still a choice I have control over, no matter what.
by Jennifer Thompson 
by Amee Yost 
by Kelli Bachara 
