Feb 082010
Inside one of my Christmas cards it read, “peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” and I thought; am I a peace-giver, a peace-leaver? When I leave a home, a store, a restaurant, a meeting, have I left peace, or have I instead decided to leave my selfishness, my annoyance, my insistence on getting my own way? When I speak with someone who has hurt me, do I sow seeds of reconciliation, or am I more interested in having the last word, proving my point, being right? I want to be a peace-giver, a peace-bringer, a peace-sower, a peace-leaver – and one who also speaks truth into confusing situations. I”ll let you know how that goes.
Jennifer, thanks for your honesty. What a fun way to relate to a Christmas card.
It is true, though, the way our presence can affect the presence or absence of peace. In practical terms, what are things you consider key to “leaving peace” in a place? Is it about the state of heart you leave people in? Is it about intentionally choosing to speak or act in particular ways at particular times? About awareness of your heart’s state and being sensitive to how that affects others?