Peace that begins with me....

As we enter into the second week of Advent, I have been reflecting on Peace. Did you know that Peace is a Person? That statement, as simple as it sounds, has helped me to wrap my head around the Peace that passes all understanding.


We sing all kinds of songs about peace. In Sunday School, I used to sing about the peace way down in my heart and peace like a river in my soul. At Christmas, we talk about peace on earth. But what exactly is peace?


Yesterday I spent most of my day in Athens with two of my daughters. We had brunch at a wonderful place downtown and rode down Milledge to look at all of the homes decorated for the holidays. We did some Christmas shopping but mostly we just talked and laughed. My freshman daughter is quite stressed at the moment because of the pressure of finals and finishing up her first college semester. The stress and the the strain was very evident on her face and in her demeanor. She is allowing her circumstances to dictate her emotions and her feelings. And I was trying to tell her not to do that.


Well, you can just imagine how well that went over. I couldn't possibly know about the pressure she is under or the difficulty of her classes or how little time she has to actually get all of it done. The more I tried to console, the more stressed she seemed to be. Finally, on the ride home, I decided that more prayer and less talk would be more beneficial for both of us. I could not produce the Peace she needed. But I could model it and pray for her.


Peace is not something that we can explain. In fact, the Bible is very clear that true Peace passes all understanding. It is felt and experienced not taught. However, it can be shared. 


Jesus is the answer to peace on earth. To peace inside of countries. To peace among war torn people. To peace among communities. To peace in our homes. To peace in our hearts. Peace is a Person and His name is Jesus.


So this week, I am committing to pray for peace. For peace for my girls as they study and finish strong. For peace in my home as we prepare for the holiday season. For peace in my family as we make plans to celebrate the season together. For peace among my neighborhood and my community as I look for ways to serve and share during the next few weeks. For peace in my words and in my actions as I interact with my husband and my girls and the people around me.


I cannot produce peace on my own. But I know the Person who can. And when I allow Him to love through me then Peace can flow like a river to those around me. I cannot make my children be calm. I cannot undo the hurt and the anger and the heartache that some of my friends are feeling during the holidays. I cannot give answers that will make it all go away. I cannot love enough to fix the pain of spending the first holiday without a loved one. But I can pray for the Peace that passes all understanding and then share it with others.


I do pray for Peace on Earth but today I pray that I can let it start within me.

Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Let there be Peace on earth, the Peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father, brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

Let Peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.

With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow-

To take each moment and live each moment in Peace eternally.

Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me.