Thursday, December 8, 2016

Dear God,

The beautiful white, glittery Christmas ornament hung by a silver cord reads Peace.  I put it on the tree two days ago.  Although I placed it to be seen by those sitting in the living area, it has moved and now reads perfectly where I sit in my Advent chair by the tree.  There is no vent there to gently move it.  It seems to be moving on its own.  And why not?  It is, after all, the way of peace.

Its silent witness speaks to me of peace that is not dead or unmoving.  Peace is a living reality.  It is more than the absence of conflict.  It is a quiet, gentle gift of mercy, compassion, hope, love, and faith.  It calls to all of us and each of us.  It wants to move us from where we are to where we can be with you, Almighty and Tender God.  Peace wants to capture us, invigorate us, forgive us, make us new, and fill us with peace.  It wants to shelter us from a world of chaos, confusion, anger, judgement, and evil.  It wants to infuse us with all that is good.  Its power can help us overcome any sorrow, injustice, pain, fear, or frustration.

So many scenes of peace have come to me...the beauty of the manger scene, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the animals and shepherds, the psalmist scene of the shepherd caring for the flock, the open cave of John the Revelator writing, the canyon monastery in New Mexico, my grandparents' farm in a tiny town in central Indiana, the spiritual path in the woods behind our home in Maine, the sanctuaries in Second Presbyterian Church and St. Joseph Retreat Center, and the rolling ocean where I dance with you.  You give us scenes to remind us peace is possible.

But peace cannot be contained or hoarded.  Peace is bigger than me or others.  It is meant to be shared, offered, given, like yeast that stretches and grows to become more.

Heavenly Father,
blessed is
your peace
that comes
to us.
How beautiful
it is.
Thank you
for your
tender mercy
which is
your peace.
May it
settle upon us
and may
we become
people of peace,
your peace.

Love, Andrea