FINDING PEACE

By Dr. Rebecca I. Payne

Finding Peace follows the relationship between Miss Mazey and Jamie as they travel through the obstacles, twists, and turns of Christian living. Miss Mazey will astound you as she gently teaches Biblical principles in answer to life’s problems. She lovingly guides us through the challenges that often grip us as we go about our daily lives. Her lessons will bless you as you learn what it takes to live a peaceful, rich, and rewarding life.
Finding Peace will touch your heart as you share in Jamie’s enlightenment. The characters will grow on you as you walk with them and reflect on your own journey. You are assured to ponder the ways you handle situations and circumstances along the way. Walk with Jamie through self-discovery as she answers the questions, “Why am I here?” and “What am I to do?”
Take a word from Miss Mazey; “Whatever it is that calms your soul and lifts you to a curiosity about your Creator, that is what you are meant to do to set you on the path to peace.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823011518

Dr. Rebecca I. Payne

Dr. Rebecca Payne is a New York/New Jersey native who has spent the last 14 years diligently studying the Bible and learning God’s grace. Her continued thirst for spiritual enlightenment has led her to walk the path toward God and deeper understanding. She continues to seek God’s counsel and wisdom as she progresses on her journey of Christian living. Dr. Payne continues to expand and explore her interests in theology and wellness, having obtained a Master of Arts in Biblical Exposition in her continuing education. Her stories remain simple, presented for all to contemplate. Dr. Payne is also the author of Shine the Light and Reflections, which can be found at Authorhouse, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. In these stories, she asks us to join her in reflecting on life’s struggles as she seeks God’s truth in life’s purpose and as she takes us on a journey of discovering God for ourselves.

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© 2023 Dr. Rebecca I. Payne. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  07/14/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1152-5 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1151-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023913021

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 In the Beginning

Chapter 2 Why am I here?

Chapter 3 The Path to Peace

Chapter 4 Patience

Chapter 5 Time to Give

Chapter 6 Finding Hope In Love

Chapter 7 There is Time for Everything

Chapter 8 Hope through Pain

Chapter 9 Who You Are

You have instructed me and taught me

in the way which I should go;

You have advised me with Your eye upon me.

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CHAPTER 1

In the Beginning

T hough the lessons have been many, it’s often the simple things that endure.

I used to sit and marvel at the people who sat on the porch quietly rocking in their chairs, not speaking, just looking at the passersby or the clouds in the sky. They used to have such profound words of wisdom when they did speak, such awe-inspiring words, such captivating stories. I used to love to sit with them and marvel at their stories, never wanting to leave, always wanting to come back.

Miss Mazey is one such porch person. She’s 82 years young and so full of life and so full of the Word. She’s a beautiful soul with crisp white hair and piercing brown eyes; eyes that make you feel she sees in and through you. Her skin is bronze and so very smooth with nary a wrinkle, just smile lines because of her warm perpetual smile. She doesn’t look 82 years at all but seems so much younger!

There is rarely a day I see Miss Mazey that she doesn’t greet me with her dimpled grin and playfulness.

She has a mother figure, neither plump nor overly thin. Even though she was married, a soul she has since laid to rest, and has raised five children and countless nieces and nephews, we still call her Miss Mazey out of deference to her age and wisdom. She’s everyone’s mother. She’s my spiritual mother, my prayer partner, and my friend.

I met Miss Mazey at a time in my life when I was getting to know God but not totally committed to following Jesus. I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, and had been baptized, but wasn’t obeying all of the commands. I wasn’t living a committed Christian life. I was also judgmental.

One day I was at a birthday party for Miss Mazey’s daughter. I had never met Miss Mazey but had heard wonderful stories from her daughter Gloria about her.

When I met Miss Mazey, an odd feeling came over me. It was like I had known her my whole life and I needed to reconnect with her. She looked at me intently and later told me she had the same feeling. It was God who brought us together and we both knew it. Immediately she asked for my number. She gave me her number and her address and told me to connect with her.

We began a fast friendship. She immediately felt like a mother to me but also so much more. Over time we grew very close, often talking about life and our relationship with God. I’d never met anyone like her who not only understood the Bible but how it relates to everyday living. More specifically, she helped me see how God was moving in my life if I’d only listen to Him and read His word.

I’d call Miss Mazey or go see her. We’d talk for long hours about God and the goings on in my life and hers. She’d counsel me with wisdom, reminding me that God’s Holy Spirit was working in me to cleanse, make me whole, sanctify, and give me peace. All I needed to do was heed God’s wisdom and obey Him.

Miss Mazey spent many a time counseling me on peace and quiet time and slowing down. That elusive time that we strive for after we’ve run around all day trying to be that super-woman or super-man. Funny how we can climb the ladder of success, work hard all week and play harder all weekend, but not make time to just be still even though we claim we want a moment’s rest.

Miss Mazey revealed our lifestyles don’t make room for quiet time but making time to still ourselves is something we must actively do. It goes against everything our nature is. We are action-oriented, strivers. We are always busy. We don’t sit still. We are active and anything that is not active, in our minds, is not alive.