Peace on Earth......

I have some friends who I have known for about 35 years. We have a tremendous history together. We've taught together and been through all the drama that entails. We've faced marriages, divorces, death of mother, father, sister, husband. There have been children and grandchildren born. We've faced terrible tragedy and amazing success. Disease, misunderstandings, getting older, always together as friends. We are different friends than we were so many years ago. Different people. Different circumstances. When our life situation of teaching changed, our proximity with each other changed. But our feelings have never changed. If anything they've grown deeper. We've learned more about life and about each other. We've learned how to take the bad with the good. We know how lucky we are. When we do see each other we pick up right where we left off. There are few friendships like this, especially made up of so many people. This year we met to exchange Christmas gifts. We always have so much fun unwrapping the unique things we have chosen for each other. This year we had a real variety of gifts given. One I received was a book about being a senior. I just had to share one page with you. No title, here goes: Lord I remember when.... My clothes and hair were up to date I had the latest and the best. I followed all the current trends, and couldn't wait for what was next. Yes, I remember when.... The most important things were bought And shown with pride for all to see- But now I've left those things behind and, truth be told, I feel relieved. Lord, I've discovered now.... It's what's inside the heart that counts, the spirit's wealth that means the most. Contentment, joy and thankfulness are things I now hold dear and close. Let patience, kindness, faith and love, Forgiveness, laughter all increase! Give me the time-worn, oildest gifts, and most of all, a soul at peace. It's true. With age comes deeper things. Deeper love. Deeper friendships. Deeper understanding. I have come to understand more of what's important . All the things in the last two stanzas are more important to me than they were when I was 30. The writer hit the nail on the head when he named a soul at peace as the most desired spiritual wealth. I don't know about you, but peace can be hard to come by for me. I know the Bible teaches there is no peace for the wicked. I find that to be true, don't you? When I have done something I should not, I find myself restless, "antsy", certainly not peaceful. Lots of times, what I have done is something I really wanted to do. Like the 'dig' spoken to my husband that I really feel he deserves! Or the piece of gossip passed on just to put myself in the limelight for a few moments. Sometimes, the sin is something I didn't necessarily want to do, but felt powerless to stop. Like reading a book I shouldn't because the story line is really good, even if it had parts I should not be reading. Same with inappropriate television shows or movies. And I could write story after story about times I felt "powerless" over food and other things. So if peace is my goal, can I do anything to attain it? It's a subject I'd like to explore in 2013, particularly what the Bible says about it. Have a Happy New Year!

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