A New Year’s Blanket

If snow blanketed our world every day in a glistening shimmer we might take its magnificence for granted. We would soon dismiss the wonder of icy branches and deep footprints. We might forgo the taste of flakes on our tongues and frost on our eyelashes. If snow blanketed our world every day, we just might miss the wonder of it all.

What if peace blanketed our world every day? Would we take for granted the magnificence of a shimmering soul? Would our own heaviness cast off its calm and interrupt sweet sleep? Would we eventually let peace’s warmth slide to the floor? If you are like me, you’d like to snuggle underneath a blanket of warm and cozy peace right about now. 

I’m finally realizing that those of us who have made peace with God are blanketed in peace every day. Yet, perhaps, we’ve taken it for granted. Jesus sweetly continues to remind us, “I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” (John 14:27, TPT) Peace is a gift from Jesus Himself. In order to benefit from a gift, it must first be accepted and then opened. Is your heart a tad troubled? Have you opened your gift yet?

The early church had the same gift, but they were tempted to leave it sitting in the corner. It takes great courage to do what Peter told the early church to do. “Whoever wants to embrace true life and find beauty in each day must stop speaking evil, hurtful words and never deceive in what they say. Always turn from what is wrong and cultivate what is good; eagerly pursue peace in every relationship, making it your prize.” (1 Peter 3:1-11, TPT) Pursue peace in EVERY relationship? Yes, every relationship. EAGERLY? Yes, eagerly.

I waited much too long to properly pursue peace. But now that I’ve tossed the wrapping paper in the air and lifted the lid on my box, I’m ready to dive into peace headfirst. Since it is such a courageous pursuit, my word for the year is PEACE! I want to be completely wrapped up in it, wear it like a blanket, and let others feel its warmth. 

If you don’t need any extra peace melting the ice on your road, then Perfection Road might not be the path you need this year. However! If you’d like a year that focuses on making peace with God, yourself, and with others, then I hope you’ll join me on this journey. Why not invite others to come along?

In case you haven’t guessed, my part of the world was blanketed in snow yesterday. What a great object lesson from God. He did to the earth what He does for me every day – He covered all the imperfections with a blanket of pure white forgiveness. That gives PEACE a great place to start! Until next week …

PEACE, my friend.

Posted in
a snowy mountain with text saying New Years Blanket

Donna Jackson

The Best Day Ever!

By Donna Jackson | December 3, 2024 |

“This is the best day ever!” Those words frequently flow from the mouth of my oldest granddaughter whenever anything out of the ordinary occurs. Jessa has always been easy to impress. Simply easing down the highway, slurping a whipped cream-topped milkshake gives her the “happys.” This past Thanksgiving was, for me, the best day ever!…

Thanks in Squirrely Times

By Donna Jackson | November 26, 2024 |

Learning the proper use of nouns and verbs in English class comes easily for most fifth graders. Spot jumped. Jane ran. Jack laughed. Easy peasy, right? Yet, throw in a few adjectives, adverbs, and some pesky prepositions, and watch things get a little squirrely. That is until you remind them that a preposition is merely…

The Audience of Your Life

By Donna Jackson | November 19, 2024

We watched several clips Sunday morning from the movie “One Life.” It tells the story of Nicholas Winton, a British man who helped 669 Jewish refugee children escape the German invasion of Czechoslovakia just before World War II. These children had no way of saving themselves; they needed an intercessor to make a way for…

Until We Change

By Donna Jackson | November 12, 2024

“Please read just one more story” became my daughter’s common bedtime plea. But my son wanted “just five more minutes” of lining up Matchbook cars on the rug before I tucked him in. Both of them vehemently resisted early bedtimes that allowed them to wake refreshed and ready for school the next morning. So, I…

It Just Means More

By Donna Jackson | November 5, 2024

In 2016, the Southeastern Conference sought to rebrand itself with an ad campaign touting the slogan, “It just means more.” Their first-ever TV spot shared many reasons why: “It means the heart of the home. The heart of campus, in the heart of town, in the heart of an entire state … It means all…

Travel On!

By Donna Jackson | October 15, 2024

Mark Keathley’s painting “Mountain Glory” overlooks our living room. Occasionally, I take a deep breath, sit back, and step into that painting to stare at the scene before me. Clusters of perky purple flowers stand at attention beneath my feet. Stacks of cold, gray rocks poke their heads up through the greenness all around me.…

Looking for the Good Stuff

By Donna Jackson | October 8, 2024

Our Topsy-Turvy World

By Donna Jackson | October 1, 2024

I’m glad to see you again. It’s been a while. The last four months have been spent working on a special project that I hope to share with you soon. God has been working hard, teaching me to hold onto joy and peace during chaotic circumstances! Today, topsy-turvy is the best way some describe their…

Slow Somedays

By Donna Jackson | July 30, 2024

John Fogerty wrote Credence Clearwater Revival’s hit song, “Someday Never Comes.” The 70s song begins with:  “First thing I remember was asking Papa, ‘Why?’ For there were many things I didn’t know. And Daddy always smiled, took me by the hand, saying, ‘Someday, you’ll understand.’” Fogerty’s impatient longing for “Someday” continues throughout the song’s verses, but…

Experiencing Grace

By Donna Jackson | July 23, 2024

Ever tried to peel one of those tough onions? You know, the kind that takes the very tip of the knife to pierce through that outer layer of skin? Tough exteriors always make me wonder what conditions must have been present for that outer layer to become so thick.  Saul the Pharisee needed the sharp, pointed rays…