Peace

     What does peace mean to you? Often we see lots of symbols of peace.  I automatically think of the peace sign.  I have learned recently what peace truly is.   Here is the wiki-pedia definition;"Peace And Love is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working political order that serves the true interests of all. In international relations, peacetime is not only the absence of war or violent conflict, but also the presence of positive and respectful cultural and economic relationships" 
     Looking at the Lion and the Lamb is honestly the truest form of peace. It says in the Bible that the Lion and Lamb will lay together with out any ire when Christ comes again.  often wondered how on Earth is this possible? How can the Lion who is agressive and a meat eater lay beside his prey the sheep? Then I realize thru Christ anything is possible. Also, if you realize in the scriptures how often are the people referred to by Christ as his flock or sheep? So in a way it says to me that we will come at peace with our enemies right?
    How to we gain peace in our lives and hearts when life seems to be so busy and hectic? As a mother of 6 there are times that there is so much contention amongst the kids it is unreal.  I continuesly tell them we need to get rid of the contention in our home. We stop and pray and read our scriptures.  It is a daily and sometimes hourly thing. If we can teach our children to be peaceful and kind to their siblings they will learn to gain peace in their hearts also. I think we must also provide our children with peaceful quiet moments. Not constantly rush and have every hour packed full of activity. Don't get me wrong I do believe idleness is not a good thing but moments of silence is golden. Teach your kids when they pray to finish and sit quietly for a few moments to listen to the still small voice. In this moment they will receive their answers and  promptings.  I feel the greatest gift we can give our children is peace and happiness.  Teach them to seek it out in their own hearts and lives.  Then they can spread it to the world and who they touch with their lives.
   We also learn peace by loving and serving others.  We must show kindness and acts of love every where and every time the opportunity arises. Through gentle, kind and true acts of service the Lord will bless you with peace and happiness in your life.  I'm not talking about doing it because you have to or doing acts because someone is watching.  I'm talking about listening to the spirit and acting on it any time and any place you are prompted too.  I would like to share with you a story of my kids.  This is not to boast what so ever. Our town was flooded back in June and their are so many still affected by the flood four months later. Our Bishop called late on Friday to see if some of the kids could help him clean out two flooded homes.  Mind you their Dad and two older siblings where not home so my two 13 year old's had to answer the call.  They were getting picked up at 7 am and they said sure.  Well, you can imagine what houses that have been filled with water in the hot Florida sun for four months must smell and look like.  Yep, you got it.  They where armed with respirators and rubber gloves.  They quickly and joyfully helped.  These people had no one that would help them pick up the remains of their lives after the flood waters had finally reseeded.   My children where deeply affected by seeing everything these people had thrown into dumpsters!   They told them they where thankful they where ok and not hurt in the floods.  They told them about our church, their belief that Jesus Christ has a purpose in everything he does.  That we may not know   exactly why we are put through some of the storms of life that we are,but that the Lord knows why.  We often learn from these experiences, it may not be immediate but it will be learned when the time is right.  The kids then walked from the first house to another and saw that there was a tree down in the yard between the houses.  Their was an older couple who had the major part of tree chopped up but there were large branches everywhere.  They felt prompted to stop and help this family.  They got the tractor and helped load it with the large pieces , stacked them and then proceeded to get the branches and cut them up. The family asked the kids why they are doing this hard work on a wonderfully beautiful Saturday morning.  My kids told them that they love to serve others and it makes them happy . The people were very touched and asked more about our church.  They were familiar with us but wanted to know more.  My kids told them how much they love Jesus Christ and serving his people.  They told them they didn't want to wake up at 630 am on a Saturday morning but their Bishop asked for help.  They said if someone asks for help from us our Mom taught us to act as though Christ himself is asking.  You wouldn't tell Christ no so we had to do it. The older couple was shocked. The kids then told them goodbye and that they had to go help their neighbors clean out their house. They proceeded to help the other family. The Bishop was walking by and the older couple stopped him and gave him a check to donate to the church. He explained we didnt do it for the money, it's not even expected.The service is done out of love for our fellow man.  In this service we receive peace and happiness in our hearts.  The kids, Bishop and two other older gentlemen cleaned out two houses and helped with a tree on a bright sunny Saturday.  They worked from 7-4 and where so full of joy when they came home.  They blessed the lives of these families and let them know that there are people out there who love them and care even though they are all strangers. The kids brought peace to these families.  They will be going back every Saturday until the task is done.  Honestly, they can't wait.
      I know I kind of got off the track I started towards with this blog.  I write usually on Sundays shortly after church and I honestly write what I feel the spirit wants me too.  So, you will see some days I start off with one subject and end up on another.  I apologize for this.

      I do feel that we can get more peace in our lives if we love our neighbor and enemy selflessly.  We must forgive our enemies.  We can't have the spirit with us at all times if we also have hatred or anger in our heart.  When we are facing the storms of life that is when we need to pray for peace.  I pray that peace be with you and pleace spread it through out the world when you feel prompted too!  Remember to Praise God in the storms of your life.  He gives them to you so that he may love you through them!