#LightTheWorld Day 23 – Jesus was a Peacemaker
With just a few days until Christmas, it is easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget about what is truly important. Summer and I have been trying hard to teach our girls the importance of the Christmas season, and when we do, we feel a great sense of peace in our household.
The other day, there was a “Light the World” initiative focused on forgiveness. I immediately knew that I needed to reach out to a member of my family who had deeply offended me, but I just couldn’t get myself to do it. I couldn’t get myself to text him, call him, or even respond to his social media posts. I just wasn’t ready.
I found a great quote for that day’s thumbnail. It said, “Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.”
I have thought for some time about that quote and I know that I need that peace in my life. It is really difficult when someone continuously offends and is then continuously forgiven without consequence. I guess in my mind, cutting those people off is the only kind of justice they will receive.
That is why I reached out to this person today, in an effort to be a peacemaker. Okay, I didn’t really reach out, but I responded to him for the first time in a few weeks. It was difficult, and I still don’t think I will re-engage with him anytime soon, but I feel better for at least trying.
Hayden Coombs 