Peace in the Valley

When I began to write this devotional, I immediately though the number one thing on my grown-up Christmas list would be world peace. I am a peace-loving person with no time for conflict. It gets in the way of my daily life and takes a lot of energy. Generally, I am easy to get along with. I don’t always agree with everyone, but I somehow manage to work things out peacefully. My lifestyle usually runs smoothly.

Those of you who know me well know that I am an Elvis Presley fan. He was my high school “flame,” and I would sit for hours in my bedroom playing my turquoise and white 45RPM auto-eject record player listening to Elvis hits, current and old. I had quite a collection of 45s. Whether it be “Hound Dog” or “Blue Suede Shoes” or “Love Me Tender,” I listened to the tunes repeatedly and knew all the words. Sometimes I’d invite a friend over after school or to spend the night, and we would frequently end up singing. It’s what you did when you were a teenager back in those days. My singalongs with Elvis never got old.

Of all the records, my favorite was “Peace in the Valley.” Elvis, the King of Rock-and-Roll, was also a well known gospel singer, and his rendition of the song featuring the vocal stylings of The Jordanaires really appealed to me. I knew all the words of all the verses and thoroughly enjoyed singing along to it over and over. When I was in an Elvis mood, I really loved the harmonizing and how the bass vocalist blended with the voice of the artist I loved so much. That song was frequently my first choice for my record stack. (If you are not familiar with this old gospel song, listen, to it here. You’ll see what I mean.)

I can hear some of you singing along: 

There will be peace in the valley for me someday
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me…

Can you imagine a world with no sadness, no sorrow, no troubles? We all definitely need this kind of peace.

Pray for peace.
Joy and peace.
Peace be with you.
Peace and quiet.
Go in peace. 

Reflect and Respond

• Which relationships in your life feel the most peaceful?
• How do you handle conflict in your relationships or circumstances?
• Take 5 minutes today to pause and listen to "Peace in the Valley." Close your eyes and breathe deeply as you listen; sing along, if you like!