What gives us peace? What keeps our hearts from being troubled or afraid?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you ...

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

(John 14:27)

What gives us peace? What keeps our hearts from being troubled or afraid?

One answer that touches me I heard from a lovely older woman named Betty.

It was in a summer program class I was teaching at Notre Dame,

and we were talking about dealing with troubles in life: difficulties,

challenges, losses. Betty shared with us a process that really helped her.

She said, "Someone once taught me this secret: "When we are sad, in pain,

very worried about something, ask: 'Could this be labor?' And then,

instead of fighting the pain or sadness or fear, give in to it, letting it take you

to the birthing. Surrendering to the birthing brings with it hope,

a trust that some new life it coming to your soul, is coming to the world."

Mothering God, source of life for all of us, help us trust that when we are troubled and afraid, you are with us helping us give birth to life.

Patricia Livingston