When Peace - Story

There’s a story I often recall about a beloved elder in our community, Sister Ruby. She was a quiet woman, her hands worn and calloused from years of labor. Despite her struggles, she radiated an inner peace that drew people to her like moths to a flame. One day, I went to visit her, finding her seated on her porch, rocking gently in her chair, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

I could see the weight of the world on her shoulders. She had lost her job, her health was failing, and her family was facing all kinds of challenges. But when I asked her how she was holding up, she smiled and said, “Child, I’ve learned not to fight against the waves but to ride them.”

She shared how she had surrendered her worries to God, reminding me of Romans 8:28, where Paul proclaims that “all things work together for the good of those who love God.” Sister Ruby trusted that even in her struggles, God was working behind the scenes for her good.

Her faith didn’t mean that she didn’t feel pain or anxiety; rather, it meant that she had accepted God’s grace to carry her through. She spoke of moments when peace would wash over her like a warm blanket, even amid turmoil.