Advent 2 ~ Peace

 

Breathe in God’s peace…breathe out those moments you, like Longfellow, have hung your head.

Breathe in God’s peace…breathe out the heaviness in your heart.

Breathe in God’s peace…breathe out the storminess in your soul.

 

Where do you long for peace right now, honestly?  Name aloud the people with whom you’d want to reconcile, relationships that are strained.  Named aloud the situations that are overflowing with stress and no matter how much you rumination or let that problem roam it will not resolve.  Name aloud the color commentary in your mind that constantly chatters about your bumbles and stumbles.

 

Now breathe and be.

Now listen and hear.

Now remember the truth, “You are my beloved,” says God, “with you I am well pleased.” 

 

Not because you solved world peace; not because you are practically perfect in every way; not because you gift others the right gift.  Be in this moment because God’s love is unconditional and unceasing.  God grants us the gift of peace ~ shalom which is wellbeing from the top of your head to your pinkie toe.  God offers us grace to meet us in the messiness of our lives. 

 

Yes, the world is not exactly right.  This was true in Longfellow’s day, and it is true today.  Reminds me of a great story.  

Martin Luther lived in the 1500s, he was a monk who tried to live the perfect life.  He was an achiever and perfectionist and always tried to make others happy.  

Oh, I see myself in Luther.  

Luther eventually left the Catholic Church (or was kicked out depending on how you look at it) and started preaching and teaching about God’s grace is what saves us not our works.  Luther married.  

And Luther struggled with depression his whole life.  

One day his wife, Katharina von Bora, noticed that Luther was grumbling and mumbling constantly.  

So, the next day, she wore black ~ head to toe ~ a sign she was in mourning.  

Luther said, “Who died?”  

von Bora said, “God.”  

“What!!!” Luther exclaimed exasperated.  “God isn’t dead!”  

“Then,” von Bora replied with a smile, “Quit acting like it.”

 

May this story provoke and evoke both a smile on your face and speak to your soul during this season of Advent.  Amen.