Peace for You

The snow plow driver left a mound of heavy snow directly in front of the garage making it impossible for me to back the car out. Frustration set in. Now what, I thought? Winter can be a tough time of year for those of us living in cold weather states. The frigid temperatures outside occasionally seep into our hearts turning them cold and unyielding. Simple gestures like love and forgiveness can be harder to offer. We then become depressed over these negative emotions and fail to see the light which we so desperately seek. But years of prayer during all seasons of life has taught me that there is a better way of persevering and healing during these dark days.

“Peace be with you.” These are the first words which the risen Christ uttered to his closest friends after they had betrayed him. It is almost too difficult for me to comprehend—how could Jesus offer friendship and peace to the people who denied him at the moment of his deepest suffering? Love. Despite my own feelings, how can I follow this better way of living, especially when other circumstances in my world make life a challenge? Love.

God’s constant message to all people is powerful—love and mercy—no exceptions. Sadly, I sometimes forget this because my heart has turned cold due to focusing solely on my own pain and struggles rather than thinking about the many people whom God has entrusted to my care. But when I turn my face to the Son in prayer and welcome the gift of God’s abundant grace, my warm heart peacefully rests in the love of the Father once again.

Instead of succumbing to our human weakness, God invites us to constantly accept his free gift of inner calm, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). This simple message is even more important in today’s modern world where there are many things happening beyond our control. God calls us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by offering unconditional love and mercy to others each day. Like Jesus we can’t look back at what others have done or not done before extending love. We lose our way when we live like this (I know). Extend love first and then feel the warmth of Christ’s peace in your heart.

Thinking back to the snow plow driver from last week’s storm, I feel bad that I didn’t offer a coffee or water bottle to him. He was probably exhausted from working many long hours and didn’t even notice the snow left in front of our garage. Had I acted with more intentional love in that moment, the result would have been different. This is something for me to think about and hopefully do better next time. I don’t want to live a life with a cold heart rather I want to be a person who lives in the warming light of God’s grace by extending love and mercy to all people, no matter what.