This second week of Advent we focus on peace.
Somewhere around the age of five months, babies learn to play "peek-a-boo". Besides being a source of great fun, the game teaches something very important: object permanence. Prior to this stage of development, babies are pretty much in the moment- if they see an object, it exists. If they do not see it, it does not exist. By playing peek-a-boo, they are learning that things and people continue to exist, even if they cannot see them.
Peek-a-boo helps the little one begin to understand that - even if she can't see them- mama and daddy are still there, are still going to take care of her. She doesn't feel abandoned when her loving care-giver leaves the room. She can begin to relax into peace, knowing that she will be cared for.
Perhaps as spiritual explorers, we need to practice playing peek-a-boo with God-Presence. We may understand object permanence, but do we understand Omnipresence? When things don't happen the way we wish they would, we have a tendency to allow ourselves to wonder, "Where did God go?" We may begin to worry or fret, wondering why God has "forsaken" us. Just as the baby comes to understand that mom and dad still exist, even when out of sight, we must come to understand- really understand, know, and believe- that the Good-Without-Opposite we sometimes call God is always present, always available, even when it seems like things are going wrong. We are never separated from Oneness, even if we've got our "spiritual eyes" closed or covered up.
We can never be separate from Spirit, except in our own forgetfulness. While I've heard it said that fear is the opposite of love, for me, fear is the opposite of peace. When I am experiencing fear, I cannot feel peaceful. And when I am experiencing peace, there is absolutely no element of fear.
So- let's go back to the value of playing peek-a-boo. By playing this game, the baby develops faith: she knows that mom and dad are there, even if she can't see them. Remembering last week's advent lesson, we know that faith is the ability to perceive and believe, even when we can't see. The baby has faith: her parents are there, she will be cared for. Having developed this faith, she has no need of worry or cause for anxiety. Without worry or anxiety, there is no fear. Without fear, there is peace.
How about you? Do you know that you are never alone? Do you understand that there is no place that you can be that is separate from Oneness? Are you willing to refuse to let thoughts of worry or anxiety act in your mind?
Have fun with this! Practice moving from fear to peace by playing peek-a-boo in your own mind. Every now and again throughout your day, close your eyes, turn within, and say "Peek-a-boo!" Claim this Truth for yourself:
Nothing and no one can disturb the calm peace of my soul.
There is no separation, there is only Wholeness.
Spirit- God- Beingness is everywhere present,
and that includes right here where I am, right now.
I am safe. I am enough. I am One in Oneness. I am at Peace.
The next time you find yourself beginning to feel anxious, or notice that you are moving into a fearful state of mind, imagine yourself covering your eyes, smile and say, "Peek-a-boo!" to remind yourself of the Truth: there is only Oneness. Infinite Good is everywhere present, and that includes right where you are right now. You are not alone. Peek-a-boo!
Laugh - relax - live your faith - and know the peace that is Spirit. 
