Peacemaker

 

grandgirl and grandboy
2010?

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

(A borrowed story from my Rebecca's blog.) 

This year's kindergarten class at the school where Rebecca teaches has the reputation of being "a handful." A few weeks ago, her husband (my favorite son-in-law, Stephen) was their substitute teacher. God gave him a brilliant idea: Train these little ones to be peacemakers.

When there was conflict, Stephen said, "How can you be a peacemaker?"

When walking through the halls, Stephen said, "How would peacemakers walk the halls?"

When complaints arose, Stephen said, "How would peacemakers handle this situation?"

God changed little hearts that day. At recess this week, when one of the kindergarteners was hogging the monkey bars, a classmate said, "We need to be peacemakers, and peacemakers would let others go first." The girl on the monkeys bars dropped. Her classmates got their turns. 

This week, beloved, give thanks to the greatest Peacemaker of all: Jesus Christ.

"Peace I leave with you," Jesus said. "My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." (Romans 5:1-2)