You’ve done what you could

Sometimes, beloved, you simply have to lay it down. The burden of fixing, of forcing, of pleading for peace that refuses to come.

You’ve stretched your heart across great divides, poured rivers from your soul,

and still, some will not drink.

They will not come to the table.

They will not unclench their fists.

But oh, hear the tender whisper of heaven—

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Romans 12:18

You have.

You’ve emptied your hands, your prayers, your tears. You’ve stood with arms wide in the storm, hoping reconciliation might arrive on the wind.

But peace is not always a two-way road.

Sometimes it’s simply the soft meadow God carves out inside your own chest.

You have done what was in your power.

You have planted seeds of grace where soil was hard and unyielding.

Now, stand still.

Lift up your chin, let holy sunlight warm your tear-streaked face. And trust the sovereign God who knows every fracture, every bruise, every echo of your longing.

He sees.

He keeps record of each attempt, each offering, each humble step toward peace.

And He will hold you blameless, though others may still hurl stones.

So be at peace, dear heart.

Lay your weary striving at His feet.

Let Him fight battles you were never meant to war. Let Him vindicate, heal, restore—

or simply hold you close while the world remains jagged around you.

Because one day, all swords will be beaten into plowshares. Every tongue will confess, every knee will bow, and perfect peace will reign—not by our straining hands, but by the nail-scarred hands of the Prince of Peace Himself.

Until then, walk on in quiet triumph.

You have done what you could.

Now rest in the God who does exceedingly abundantly above all you could ask or think—

even with broken relationships, even with unfinished stories, even with unanswered cries.

And let your soul echo David’s ancient song:

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 4:8