STXWM Blog

When I think about the phrase “peace in the wild,” I picture a leopardess in the middle of a jungle. I imagine the sound of monkeys hooting in the background while she cleans her paws. She’s laying down, feeling peaceful, she’s not worried about where her next meal will come from. She’s not anxious about her cubs; they’re healthy and happy. She lays her head down, closes her eyes, and rests. Ah, this is what I wish I could achieve in life.

As a kid, I was always drawn to leopards at the zoo. I remember my parents had a polaroid of me standing next to one on a family vacation. We were told not to touch the animals, so I made sure to give it plenty of room while posing. As a young adult, I had the pleasure of going to Africa and being on a safari where I experienced seeing one in the wild. It was creeping through the brush, not wanting to be seen; I snapped a quick picture. Unfortunately, you can’t tell what it is, but I know what I saw. Leopards are strong, stealthy, and, not to mention, gorgeous.

As a mom, life can get hectic, especially around the holidays. You need to wrap the gifts, make the treats, plan the family outings, squeeze in all the cinematic classics, and still find ways to create magical moments along the way. Also, who knows what day it is anymore? After Christmas and the sugar rush, the calendar seems obsolete. Holidays are wild. Schedules are wild. Life is wild. But scripture reminds us:

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Growing up, I had a bad habit of biting my fingernails to the point where they would not grow anymore. This became a nervous habit that I unfortunately carried into adulthood. Anytime I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I start to chew my nail polish. When did this wild act become my go to for peace and comfort?

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Peace in God is a calm spiritual state defined by trust in God’s presence and control, providing joy, rest, and protection, even during difficulties.

Several years ago, my family and I went through a very stressful season. It was filled with many uncertainties and a lot of heartbreak. However, despite all the cards stacked against us, we believed that God was going to come through. After being told in February that I wasn’t pregnant, my hope level sank, but that didn’t stop me. After 5 months of rest, prayer, and regrouping, I was ready to try again. That was when we heard the most beautiful words, “Congratulations, you’re pregnant!” These were the words we had longed to hear. Our dream was coming true, and we knew it was God. In that moment, all my husband and I could do was look at each other and smile. There was so much peace that filled our home that day. Seven years later, we have a creative, imaginative, and thriving little girl who enjoys life.

Here’s what she tells me when she can see that Mommy is feeling overwhelmed:

1)  Take a deep breath

2)  Count to 5

3)  Pray

It’s amazing how innocent our babies can be. It breaks my heart anytime I see her disappointed or sad. I wish I could make everything better, but more times than not, I’m not in control of the situation and neither is she. Nevertheless, I’m grateful that she hasn’t experienced any hardships. And hardships will come. Life is full of them. But no matter how she’s feeling or what situation she’s dealing with, she knows she can call on the name of Jesus. He is our Prince of Peace.

We live on an acre of land in the middle of nowhere. The only sounds we hear are the mooing of cows and the train nearby. At night, we hear the gentle sounds of owls hooting and crickets chirping. We love to look up at the big black sky and count the stars. Just the other night, I witnessed the moon all big and bright. It looked like a flashlight shining down on me. When I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I like to walk outside and take in the scenery. I enjoy watching the cows graze along the fence while their calves follow behind. The smell I don’t care for, but the fact that I get to see this breathtaking view every day brings me peace. 

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

As I reflect on peaceful moments in my life, I’m reminded again of the leopardess moving gracefully through the wild. She is surrounded by unpredictable terrain and potential threats, yet she remains focused and poised—never letting the chaos around her disrupt her composure. In much the same way, we are called to hold onto peaceful thoughts, even when the world feels untamed and uncertain. Like the leopardess, let’s choose to trust, breathe deeply, and seek the peace that comes from knowing who walks beside us. No matter how wild life gets, we can find moments of stillness and grace by keeping our minds fixed on Him.