On Thursday, we had over twenty people gathered in my home. We laughed and talked and shared stories. It was very nice. Very enjoyable. Very full of blessings.
Over the course of the week though, I talked to so many people who struggled with the holiday. One person in particular described it as a stomach ache that will last until 2012. I find that so sad. And my heart breaks for those who feel that. I have had those same emotions before. Not only does it make for a long couple of weeks, but it takes its toll on our health and our emotional well being.
Those kind of feelings are not what God wants for us. In that same conversation, another friend said something that I have been reflecting on all morning. She said this simple statement: I was raised in a house of Peace and I was taught to live in one.
She had no idea why anyone would have a stomach ache over the holidays. She has lived a blessed life. Not many people have the perspective that she does. She was raised in a missionary family. Her parents were raised in the same type of environment. The Spirit of Peace was passed down from generation to generation. They knew the reason for the season and they made it a priority in their home. In turn, so did their children.
I do not know many families that do not have some sort of family issues. It just is part of this fallen world that we live in. But we can choose what is in our homes. Do we allow pettiness and dissension to rule our emotions and our thoughts? Or, do we invite the Spirit of Peace to invade our homes and our hearts?
The choice is ours. Even if we have never had that kind of home before. There is no reason not to have it now. Peace is a Person. Jesus is the reason. Hope is worth holding on to. But to have that Peace that passes all understanding, we have to let go of the other stuff. Let go of the grudge. Let go of the hurt. Let go of the turmoil. Let go of the control. Let go of the anger. Let go of the expectations.
As we begin this Advent season, let's commit together to let go and look up in expectation. We are in the season of celebration. We are celebrating a Truth about God and a reconciliation. Let's love God with all of our hearts and let's love our neighbors as ourselves. As we do that, let's make sure our homes are a house of Peace. A safe place for our children and for our friends and for our families.
Let go and look up. Choose Peace. Reflect it to the world around you. Then wait expectantly for the Hope that will fill your heart and your home.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel...
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