Peace
I deeply believe that peace can be a gift. It can emerge in the most unusual moments, and fall on us like moonlight on a dark night. There are days when the peace that holds us passes all human understanding. We give thanks that it is real.
Most days, peace is cultivated. It is in the choices we make about how we treat those around us. And how we treat ourselves.
Peace grows as we turn our attention to things that are beautiful, right, and praiseworthy.
Peace grows as we take responsibility for our responses in any given situation.
Peace grows as we cultivate our own ability to offer grace to ourselves and those around us.
There is real peace in calm circumstances. A lull in the storm feels peaceful. But if the storm is raging on the inside, taking up space in our hearts and minds, peace is hard to come by.
Certainly, we’ve heard these things before. I often pray for people of peace to accompany those I love through the difficult details of life. In that prayer, I also hope to be that person of peace for someone else.
Before we can sow, we need to cultivate the ground. May we tend to our own hearts and minds so that peace will grow and we will have something to share.
As a seasonal practice this year, I will be offering a Sunday reflection on each of the weekly themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. For a little added flavor, I will be posting a daily photo around the week’s theme on my Instagram and Facebook pages. To follow along, you can subscribe to the blog posts, and see the photos on IG (@hajames) and FB (@heatherane) if you are so inclined.
What’s playing on repeat this second week of Advent in our home:
Breathe (Maverick City Music— Feat. Jonathan McReynolds & Chandler Moore )