If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
“Be a peacemaker! Do whatever it takes to bring peace.” These are the words I hear myself telling my kids repeatedly. “It doesn’t matter who’s right, I just want you to bring peace into the situation.”
I’m realizing that this is one of those ‘easier said than done’ things. Recently, my husband and I didn't see eye to eye on an issue. I can’t even remember what it was about now. But at the time, I thought, I am not backing down on this one, I know I’m right. It wasn’t until later that I realized, I didn’t follow my own advice! I have sat down with my sons and explained that sure, they can demand their way in an argument and prove to the other that they are right and the other is wrong. But, what good comes of it? Everyone feels bad in the end. Enemies are created and friends are lost. It is always better to be peaceful than to be right.
Yet, when faced with the opportunity to practice what I preached, I failed, again. (sigh) I realized after the situation had passed that it wasn’t important to push for my way (right or wrong). The better option would have been to choose to do whatever I could to bring peace. My husband did that instead.
Although I find these realizations about myself discouraging at times, I believe the Lord allows them to show me that we all have areas to work on. When it comes to raising my children, I have found myself countless times asking my husband, “When will they learn? When will they always choose to make the right choice?” Parenthetically, I must add that I have wonderful boys who make many positive choices. But as their mother, I want the best for them and want their every choice to be good. During these times of questioning, my husband has gently reminded me that I still have personal struggles that I am waiting for the Lord to work out of me. How can I expect my children to do more than I can? Oh yah, I guess we are all a work in progress. Oh how I desire perfection, both in myself and in my family. But we are all sinners, saved by grace. Each failure reminds us of our need for Him and hopefully allows us to be more gracious when others fail around us.
So now, I want to purpose to take my own advice and “live at peace with everyone.” And when I fail, allow those times to be reminded that I need to extend grace to my boys when I don’t see them always choosing the peaceful path.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Because of Jesus,
Eunora
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good reminder...I've been thinking some of the same things lately. Amen and amen!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, great post to read! I always think of myself as a peacemaker between others, I want everyone to love everyone BUT I do tend to run my mouth when the "Chief" and I are having a debate, I need to have a little mirror in tow when I start this I guess! ;0)
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I completely relate... Just this morning I was talking to my daughter about selfishness, and all the while thinking to myself, "When will she learn to put others first? This is just going in one ear and out the other...." But then I realized, "What about ME? I don't always put others first. I need to set the example. And I definitely need God's help to do so."
ReplyDeleteIt's important to my children's spiritual growth to see ME growing spiritually and practicing what I preach.
Thanks for sharing the encouragement this morning.
Oh, and I see you're participating in Kelli's 365 days. How is that going for you?
ReplyDeletethank you for the reminder! I need to take a step back and look at how I'm acting too.
ReplyDeletethis is a hard one! I think we fail everyday in some way but it is important to work on our hearts. I've come a long way in this area but thank God, His mercies are new everyday. xoxo
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