Word of the Month- Peace

Peace is not a perfectly quiet mind or a life where everything goes right. It’s the steady place you can return to when you’re overwhelmed, grieving, or simply carrying more than people can see.

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Transcript

Welcome And Word Of The Month

Why May Feels Lighter

Peace Does Not Come Automatically

Real Peace During Grief

Small Practices That Bring Peace

John 14:27 And Lasting Peace

Practicing Peace With Self Grace

Reflection Questions For May

Closing Blessing And Farewell

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Welcome back to CC Airwaves. My name is Paige Matillo, and today we're continuing our Word of the Month series, a time where we pause, reflect, and focus on a word that can guide us through the season we're in. For May, our word is peace. May is one of those months that always feels a little bit lighter to me. The weather finally turns and everything starts blooming, and I feel like you can actually feel the shift in the air. I mean, winter is officially over by now. Well, maybe not in Cleveland, but it is officially over. The temperature is starting to rise. People are starting to come outside, enjoy the weather, flowers are starting to bloom. Everything feels perfect. And I myself want to start spending more time outside, going for walks, sitting in the sun, maybe just slowing down a little bit and enjoying the moment. And in those moments, I start to think about peace. Because if I'm being honest, peace isn't something that always comes naturally. It's not something I wake up feeling every day. That is for sure. And there are still moments where life can feel overwhelming, or where my mind is racing, or where I feel the weight of all the things that I'm carrying. And I know that I'm not doing that alone. When we think of peace, we often imagine everything being calm and perfect, but real peace doesn't look like that. It's not about everything going right. It's really about finding a sense of steadiness, even when things aren't. And for those who are grieving, this can feel especially true. You can be surrounded by beautiful things like sunshine, flowers, people, and still feel that quiet heaviness in your heart. And I myself have had moments like that where everything around me is peaceful, but inside I am still processing and healing. And I've learned that it doesn't mean something's wrong. It just means you're human. Peace doesn't mean the pain is gone. It just means that you're learning to carry it a little bit differently. For me, peace has shown up in the most small, unexpected ways in my life. Sometimes it's just sitting outside and feeling the sun or taking a walk without my phone. You know, not listening to music or having it blared at the topmost volume, but actually listening to those birds chirping, the people chattering, the leaves swishing in the wind. And it's just about being present. And sometimes it's a quiet moment where my thoughts they finally slow down. And sometimes it's just about getting through a day that felt hard and realizing, okay, I made it. And then I feel the peace. Those moments may seem small, but they do matter. And they build up over time, which is how healing begins. In scripture, we're reminded in John 14, 27, peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. And I love that because it reminds me that peace isn't something that I create on my own. It's something that others can offer me. And it's something that God is already offering, something steady, consistent, constant, and even when everything else feels uncertain. But receiving that peace, that can take practice. It can mean slowing down when you want to rush, letting yourself feel instead of pushing everything else away, giving yourself a little bit of grace on the days that you don't feel peaceful at all. That's an important one. And that's something I've had to learn because peace isn't about having it all together. It's about allowing yourself to be where you are and trusting that it's okay. And being okay with it. You just have to feel it and allow it. So this month, I invite you to reflect. Where do I feel peace right now, even if it's small? What helps me feel grounded when life feels overwhelming? And where might I need to give myself a little bit more grace? Whatever it looks like for you, let it be enough. As we move through May, let this word stay with you. Peace. Not as something that you have to chase or force, because that's not what peace is about. But as something that's already present, waiting to be noticed. Even in the middle of everything that you're carrying. Thank you so much for joining me for this month's reflection. I hope it gives you a little space to breathe and a reminder that peace can exist even in the smallest moments. We'll see you next time on CC Airwaves. God bless.