Sweet Peace

Our first child, Danny, was eight years old when Dennis and Dustin (the twins) came along.  Goodness, double everything -- diapers, formula, baby food, clothes, toys, and the like.  The biggest adjustment, however, was the noise factor.  We went from little-to-big noise overnight!  Yes, today there is quiet; and, yes, sometimes I do listen …

Oh, how our souls long for peace.  Soul-satisfied peace – more precious than a quiet house with Mr. Bill in his rocker-glider and me in my comfy chair.  Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)  Believers will know true peace in heaven but that peace will be ready-made (hallelujah, nonetheless!).  J. Ruskin wrote, “Whatever making of peace they can be blest for, must be on the earth here: not the taking of arms against, but the building of nests amidst, its ‘sea of troubles’.”  A peaceful soul in peace-less times!  From whence does it come?  Where does it begin?  Job said, “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” (22:21)  Jesus’ words about peacemakers are profound yet we must first consider the peace we have … or do not have … with The Father.  In my own life, those less-peaceful relationships usually stem from a root not yet settled peacefully with God – unforgiveness, pride, bitterness, etc.  We will never be a peacemaker [in our lives] unless we first know peace with The Maker of all peace!  Yes, quiet moments in rocker-glider and comfy chair bring sweet peace to Mr. Bill and I but never to be confused with the deep, rich, everlasting peace that comes only from The Peacemaker. 

“O God, Who art Peace everlasting, Whose chosen reward is the gift of peace, and Who hast taught us that the peacemakers are Thy children, pour Thy sweet peace into our souls that everything discordant may utterly vanish, and all that makes for peace be sweet to us forever. Amen.” – Gelasian Sacramentary, A.D. 492