Peace on Earth

 

It’s less than a week before Christmas.  The Advent season seems to go by more quickly each year.  Plans to do less, buy less, reflect more, once again, seemed to have been challenged.  The focus of peace during this Advent did provide me an opportunity to step back and delve into the many aspects of Christmas beyond the Christmas story.  The peace that was prophesied was coming, the peace of all the blessings we receive, the peace we can gain during troubled times, and now, the peace for ALL. 

That sense of ALL seems to be missing in the world today.  The unity that comes through fellow human beings seems to be lacking.  Our ability to put aside our differences and see each other for who we are, children of God, seems lost.  We tend to focus more on the negative of what makes us different than the positive of what joins us together.  Today’s verse, from angels long ago, reminds us of the peace that He gave us here on earth.

Here, God was speaking to the shepherds.  At the time of Jesus’ birth, being a shepherd was not seen as the best career move.  Many were born into that work.  Yet, this is where God shares the message of Jesus’ birth.  To those whose peace may have been struggling.  They may have not realized the peace that was coming to them, the peace that was in the blessings they received, or the peace  they experienced during troubled times.  It was God who put that aside and shared with them that the peace that Jesus was bringing was for ALL the earth, for ALL who lived, for even the lowly shepherds. 

God’s peace on earth could seem to be missing today.  We have war, we have famine, relationships crumble, health issues arise, and dissent is upon us.  Have faith, simple faith my friends, that God’s peace is with us.  It is in the eyes of those we meet on the street.  It is in the phone call from a friend long ago.  It is in the hug of a child.  It is in the pew of a church.  It is there for us to find, as the shepherds found Jesus in the manger long ago.  Peace is here on earth.  God shared that message over 2000 years ago and He never took that away from us.  As the Advent season comes to a close with Christmas morning next week, may we feel God’s presence with us, the peace that passes all understanding, and may we be the peace that the earth is today.  Merry Christmas to all and may our Dear Lord bless you and keep you.

Dearest Lord, we thank you for giving us peace on earth.  It is that peace that we not only need to see but need to be!  We pray that your unwavering love will engulf us and help us see the peace for all that you gave us.  Amen!

Peace During Trials

 

I was at the nail salon today.  This is typically my ‘quiet’ time.  I have a wonderful nail technician who understands this.  Her interaction with me is just the right amount of chit chat and silence.  It is my time to just relax and not really think about anything.  Today’s visit started that way.  As I was sitting with Rossie filing my nails, I overheard a conversation between two other women.  They were both sharing their stories of sorrow.

One of the women was sharing how she didn’t know what she would do without her husband, that he was so good to her and her family.  He had cancer but was responding well to treatment and she was happy for that.  She continued to share how happy she was that he was in her life.  The woman next to her grew quiet.  I then heard sniffling and she shared how she had lost her husband over a year ago and is still grieving his passing.  She was obviously sad, and I could feel her pain three chairs down.

I listened to both these women and had lived moments similar to their situations in my life.  There were times in my life when sorrow overwhelmed my heart.  The days were filled with sadness and grief.  Trouble seemed to rule my life and happiness seemed to evade me.  We live in a broken world and there are times when brokenness finds us.  I sat in church one Christmas Eve, with no hair as chemo had taken that from me, wondering if I was ever going to get better.  Another Christmas Eve there was an empty chair next to my mom where my father used to sit before, he passed.  Those days were filled with trouble, and I was afraid.

This verse turned my world around.  When I would read this verse, it was as if Jesus was gently reminding me that I was not alone on these journeys.  During trials and tribulations, Jesus would be there to calm my anxious heart and share with me that He is in control and would give me what I would need to restore peace in my soul.  Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago to give that gift to us.  Jesus came to give us the gift of peace – the peace that passes all understanding.  We can’t fathom what our lives would be like if Jesus wasn’t in it – and praise to God we don’t have to!  He gives us peace, freely.  When we have His peace, we have no need to be afraid.  Jesus is walking right beside us.

As I left the salon, I gave each woman a hug.  I didn’t know them, but it seemed to be what they needed – a stranger who knew that peace would surround them.  During this Advent season, may you know that our trials are opportunities for Jesus’ peace to blanket us and bring us closer to Him.  Take full advantage of that goodness.

Dearest Jesus, thank you for freely giving your peace to me.  During times of sadness and grief, may I always know that your peace is right beside me, providing me all I need that the world can’t give me.  Amen!

 

Peaceful Blessings

 

The second Sunday of Advent and I am continuing on our peace journey.  Last week, we focused on the peace that we could gain if we turned our eyes and hearts away from the daily activities and focused on the one who was coming to bring peace to the world, Jesus.  I thought about that throughout the week as I tried to ‘practice what I write’ in an effort to engage more fully in peace. 

I also tried to remember when I had found true peace, the type of peace that washes over us.  There are many times when peace was found in the middle of trials.  When my own mind could not help me focus on what was correct in a troubling situation, I would turn to the Great Advisor, Jesus, for my answers.  As usual, when I did that, I found that I was able to have this incredible sense of peace that everything would turn out for good.

The other times that I have found peace are in the moments when time seems to stand still with goodness, with an abundance of blessings.  It is during those times, where I have been greatly blessed, that I find such happiness and peace.  Yes, those moments are usually found with my family.  Yet, they are moments that I keep in my heart, much like Mary at the birth of Jesus.  Those moments of peace fill not just one’s heart, but also one’s soul.

We often look to find peace when life is hard, and we need respite from the trials and tribulations we ensure.  Let us not lose heart!  It is also in the moment of incredible blessings that we also can find peace.  As always, we need to take a ‘pulse check’ during those moments to see how we are feeling.  Don’t lose sight of those moments and don’t let them pass you by.  Sit, and reflect.  Listen to those around you – the laughing, the chitchat.  Watch those around you – the hugs, the smiles.  All of it is blessings from Jesus - blessings to rejoice in, blessing to help us understand what real peace is.

During this Christmas season, as we prepare for Jesus’ arrival, listen, and watch to what is happening around you.  Let peace take over your soul as you realize the blessings that Jesus has given to you.  May the peace of Christmas last you throughout the year!

Dearest Jesus, thank you for providing blessings to abundant for us to count.  In those moments, may we reflect on those blessings and let the peace that can only come from you envelope our souls.  Amen!