Ann Pierce Arnett, member of the Gene Decker Sunday School Class

Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Reflection:
It is no surprise that peace is missing for most of us in our lives. During the past months we’ve had so much challenging information about our health, our economy, our institutions and our future. But in scripture the peace is promised, it’s foretold in oracles even in the worst of circumstances. Do not despair; even now there are signs of God’s peace.  But it requires our imagination—an imagination that trusts and practices and sets aside time to contemplate what God has done in the past and what God intends for us in the future.  And even more there are signs that God’s peace is with us now and we are to claim it, think on it for ourselves and share it with others whenever we can. 

I am reminded of the ancient story about the grandfather who told his grandson all his life about two wolves that are always fighting. One is darkness and despair, the other is light and hope. When the little boy asks, “Which wolf wins?” The grandfather smiles and answers, “Whichever one you feed.”

It turns out there are so many places and times when peace is a gift already sent just waiting for us.  We only need to notice it; stop long enough to sit down and unwrap and enjoy it.

My friend recently went for her annual check-up.  The doctor noted her blood pressure was borderline high, her oxygen intake was low and her skin was dry.  After asking her some questions about her daily activities he diagnosed that she was on overload.  Then he said, “Did you know that stress is the number one cause of every chronic disease? If we don’t stop overloading ourselves our bodies will stop for us.” Check this box—I am not a robot! 

I knew what she was talking about. Many years ago I wound up in the hospital on Christmas Eve.  I had planned, prepared and produced the perfect Norman Rockwell Christmas for my family and friends.  But I had neglected my own health and sanity running around town in what was a cold and wet December.  After everyone was in bed on December 24, I realized  I was having trouble breathing.  My husband called our neighbor to come stay with our kids and he rushed me to the emergency room.  I was diagnosed with asthma and I spent the next two days in the hospital. Santa Claus came for my children that year, but thank God, it was obvious I had to change. I learned that I am allergic to Christmas trees and that the best Christmas is simple, real, and not like a painting.

The following fall, St. Luke’s offered a class on simplifying the holidays. Those who signed up shared our stories about family holiday traditions; some funny and some that we wished would never happen again. At the end of the class I remember we made some commitments: one was not to shop on the weekends. It seemed like a small thing but it was not easy to change our old ways. Mindfulness made a big difference. We realized that weekend shopping was somehow more frantic. I still see some of those folks who were in that class so many years ago and during Advent we almost always check in by asking, “Are you still avoiding weekend shopping?” The answer is usually, “Yes.” It’s yes, of course, because we have seen the difference it makes. It’s yes because we have continued to feed our Advent and Christmas with whatever is true and commendable. And we recognize the gift of peace. God has given it to us; it’s waiting for us, but we have to stop long enough to recognize and rejoice in it. 

Prayer:
God of Peace, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Come near and remind us to do the things that make for peace. Empower us to live your values and share your peace with the world. Amen.