::understanding the way to peace:: {day 2}

::photo::

spending time in reflection as we enter holy week.

sunday the following passage was dramatized in our church service :

"how i wish today, that you of all people would understand the way to peace" luke 19:42

it spoke volumes to my soul.
"...understand the way to peace..."


{respond vs. react}

respond: to react favorably
react: to act in an opposing or contrary manner

just the mere definition of these words brings deep longing for change. i react a lot.
but i have a friend who is queen of responding. for the fifteen years that i have know her she has always taken time to step back, evaluate the situation at hand and respond. i cannot think of a single time that she has simply "reacted."  she understands the way to peace. she is a peacemaker.

if someone says something that is out of line. she comtemplates: is this just part of their personality? what were the cirumstances surrounding the incident that may have brought abnormal behavior from this person? she thinks before she speaks. and she speaks peace. to them. to me. to her children. to her husband. she speaks peace.

am i speaking peace?

::understanding the way to peace::

::photo::

spending time in reflection as we enter holy week.
yesterday the following passage was dramatized in our church service :

"how i wish today, that you of all people would understand the way to peace" luke 19:42

it spoke volumes to my soul.
"...understand the way to peace..."

peace:: [peec]:: freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety and obsession; etc. tranquillity, serenity

in contemplation i realized, for like the billionth time, that i allow many things to keep me from peace. daily stresses,  some of which are attributed to simply by personality. i'm high strung. i obsess. this make the desire for peace that much harder. wanting. just wanting.

wanting to be a stay-at-home mama.
wanting to be the perfect mommy.
wanting to a clean home....all the time.
wanting to rest but not knowing how to be still.
wanting to nurture friendships but lacking the time.
wanting.
wanting definitely keeps the peace at bay.

so today. i will refocus.
i will count my blessings. i will write them until i get to 1000 gifts and then write some more.
every day.
counting.
writing.
wanting less with each written word.
understanding the way to peace.