Hello Gardeners! I want to thank you guys for the love you showed me when this series was announced. Your support means more than you know. I took a break from writing to graduate and “decompress,” and literally did everything but decompress. I can honestly say my peace was tested once I announced this series. For me, it was confirmation that I was on the right track. So here I am, months later, ready to share what I’ve been working through.

I stopped and started this post several times. I lost focus, and a few moving parts were moving quite a bit. While all of this was taking place, I was asking myself, “What is this showing me?” And the answer was clear: I cannot control the outcomes in my life or the lives of those I love. It’s one of those revelations that you know, but it takes time to click. Well, it finally clicked for me, and I am so happy to say: Let’s dive in. 🙂

What if the way to peace is acceptance?

Peace is something we all want more of. We do a lot to get to peace—changing jobs, moving to new towns, cutting ties with people, and making major life adjustments—all in the name of peace.

I’ve done it myself. I’ve distanced myself from people, places, and things for the “sake of my peace.” Sometimes it was warranted. Other times, I really do feel like I could have handled things better.

In acknowledging that I’m not perfect and I’m not always right, I realized something about myself: I care. I care a lot. Caring comes naturally for me. Letting go does not.

Momma Frankie, my granny, knew that about me. She used to tell me not to hold on so tightly to things and people because I would be disappointed. She was right. I was disappointed and often left with a lack of peace.

Accepting that we cannot control every aspect of life or every person around us is not always easy. In fact, I think much of our frustration comes from trying to do exactly that.

The more I have reflected on it, the more I have realized that peace isn’t found in controlling outcomes. It’s found in accepting what is and trusting God with what isn’t mine to carry.

We cannot control others or outcomes, but we can control how we respond to those moments. More often than not, those uncomfortable moments are opportunities for us to adjust, grow, and accept.

🏷️ 🤑 ☑️

I think society and social media have convinced us that peace should look a certain way. It has to be picture-perfect—with highlighters, pretty Bible verses, a pristine home, an organized kitchen, and a step-by-step guide to enlightenment.

But that version of peace sounds exhausting.

Sometimes we spend so much energy trying to create perfect conditions for peace that we miss the peace available to us right now.

Peace doesn’t suddenly arrive when everything is clean, organized, healed, or figured out. There’s no one-size-fits-all, right-or-wrong way to go about obtaining it.

What if all you have to do is accept that God is the one in control and trust that He has your best interests at heart?

Real peace isn’t the absence of problems. It’s knowing that even when life feels uncertain, God is still steady.

Peace is a bit pricey at times, but I know God can afford it and He always has plenty to share.

With that in mind, maybe the price of peace really isn’t that high after all. 😉

Take Care,

ToriB💕🌻

P.S—Check out what we’re covering in Daily Devotions this month.