Second Sunday in Advent: PEACE

On this second Sunday in Advent, the theme is PEACE.

It's been said there are three kinds of peace: peace with ourselves, peace with others, peace with God.

Peace with myself. I'm not sure how that looks for you, but for me peace with myself means the assurance that I did the best I could, that I didn't grasp for control or betray my deepest values, that I accepted my limitations and just allowed myself to be an ordinary person.

Peace with others. There's a Scripture verse that says, "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) I find that first part of the sentence helpful because it acknowledges that when it comes to relationships, we can really only be responsible for our own stuff. Taking that responsibility may mean asking, Have I done all I can to foster peace, even if I feel betrayed or misrepresented? Does peace mean speaking up, or letting go? Can there be peace without restoration of relationship? These are tough questions. It strikes me, as I think about it, that peace with others and peace with ourselves are actually not all that separate.

Peace with God. Over the past couple of years, as I've been challenged to rethink a lot of things about faith and church and Christian community, I'm realizing more and more that peace with God doesn't depend on attending church, signing off on the tenets of "historic Christianity" (whatever that is), or proving our worth to God. God has already made peace with us – with me. The Incarnation shows that this has always been God's greatest desire: to be in relationship with us, to reveal what He is like, to bring peace and harmony to every corner of the planet. Jesus comes, as the carol says, "to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found."

As we walk through the sometimes dark days of Advent, may we know peace in all its forms, as a Presence deeper than emotions and circumstances, sustaining and upholding us on our path.

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You can read my previous advent post here: HOPE.

Five Minute Friday: STAY

Today I'm linking up with the Five Minute Friday community, writing for five minutes on a given prompt. This week's word is STAY.

Since the pandemic shutdown began in mid-March, we have been taking many walks on the K&P Trail. Yesterday we went to one of our favourite sections; it starts at the edge of a hilly country road and circles around to another spot further along the same road.

It was hot, and Jonathan wanted to turn back early, so Richard went back with him while I went on, walking out of the midday sunshine and into this shady, gently climbing section of the trail. On my right, the hill rose, thick with tall maples, ferns tumbling down among fallen limbs. On my left, the ground fell steeply away, more maples and ferns spreading down the hill toward a farmer's field. The sun dropped crumbling through the leaves, laying a dappled path before my feet, and the breeze ruffled the treetops. It was so beautiful, so serene, so inviting.

For a moment I wished I could stay there forever, far from distressing global events and the tedium of the day-to-day. Of course I couldn't. But I wondered if it might be possible to bring that place -- its peace and beauty and serenity -- along with me wherever I went. Can a place stay in our heart, the way those we love do even when they're absent from us?

I hope so. In the meantime, I'll go to the trail again some day to soak in that tranquility and remind myself of all the beauty there is in this world. 

Haikus for Advent: Week Two

As I explained in my last post, I am composing a haiku for each day of Advent this year and posting it on Twitter. 

These are the haikus I wrote for Week Two of Advent. 


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peace candle wavers
but does not go out. pray for
migrants fleeing war

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coloured lights glowing
in the window, softening
the edges of night

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expectant, we wait,
hardly knowing what -- or Who --
lies at waiting's end

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he scatters the proud
topples rulers' thrones, lifts up
the humble of heart

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the hungry are fed
and the Lord does not forget
to be merciful

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its head now engaged,
the baby will soon be born --
and this is our God!

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He in whose image
we were made is himself made
into our likeness

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Five Minute Friday: TIRED

Today I'm linking up with Five Minute Friday, where we write for five minutes on a given prompt. This week's word is TIRED.

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The picture below shows a plaque that I made when I was a teenager, and that I still have.

At the time, my dad was sawing wood, and this thin slice of a log ended up on the woodpile. I took it inside, dried it, and then simply used a pencil to draw a picture of a pathway and mountain and write these (now faded) words:

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles.

They shall run and not be weary,

and they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version)

This was my favourite Bible verse in those days, and I still consider it one of the most encouraging passages in the Bible.

Two of the verses before it say,

"Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak."

Isaiah 40:28-29 (New International Version)

 
Tired ... weary ... weak. These are familiar words. I often get tired of the demands of parenting. I get weary of repetitive words and activities. I feel weak when I stop and think about the overwhelming prospect of a lifetime of caregiving.

But in this Bible passage, God seems to be speaking directly to me -- saying, "Yes, I know you get tired and weary and weak ... but I do not. I understand what you are going through. I never sleep. I made this world, and I will help you. I will strengthen you and give you what you need to keep going."

When I made the plaque 40-some years ago, I didn't know what challenges the coming years would bring -- and maybe it's just as well. But I think I had a sense even then that reliance on God to renew my strength was going to be an important theme in my life. Today, I draw encouragement from the One who never grows tired or weary.

"On whom his favour rests" - a Christmas poem

I wrote this poem several years ago and revised it recently. Christmas always brings back childhood memories for me; this is just one of many. I hope you enjoy it.

Achieving peace is not the end of the matter: a guest post from Tim Fall

Today I'm very happy to feature a guest post by my friend and fellow writer, Tim Fall. I always enjoy reading the encouraging posts he offers on his blog, Just One Train Wreck After Another. His blog subtitle is "Honoring God, encouraging people": a very fitting description of the way Tim writes and interacts with his followers and commenters. 

I hope you'll enjoy reading Tim's thoughtful reflection here. I think his discussion of peace, truth, and freedom is very relevant today in our contentious society, where "just keeping the peace" seems like a safe default position.

Please leave a comment or question, too, if you'd like!

Achieving Peace Is Not the End of the Matter

We don't use the phrase "public servant" much these days, but the concept behind it is as old as the first community that ever gathered together for mutual support, aid and society. As a trial court judge, this quote reminds me of what that means for the public I serve.

“It is at all times proper that misunderstanding

 between the public and the public servant should be avoided.” 

 - Abraham Lincoln, September 1863

A retired judge once advised me in handling courthouse administration, "I've found that more communication is almost always better than less." And in following his advice I've found in turn that more communication works well not only in my courtroom, but also with my colleagues, my community, and in my personal life. There are times when judges are barred from disclosure but typically it's best to let all concerned have the information they seek. That way we can best avoid the misunderstandings Lincoln advised against.

Family, work, school, church

Misunderstandings may be avoidable, but fixing them isn't. The advice Paul gave the Christians in Rome in the 1st Century CE extends to all aspects of life still today:

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18.)

Achieving peace is not the end of the matter, though, if peace comes at the cost of truth. Truth is what Jesus identified as the means to true freedom, after all.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32.)

It is truth that frees us to know true peace. This truth is Jesus himself as he said in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life." And if in knowing Jesus we know truth, then we achieve true peace as well since he is the very Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6.)

Abraham Lincoln said there should be no misunderstandings between a public servant and the public. Jesus is the ultimate servant:

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45.)

After he has suffered,
    he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
    and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11.)

He desires there be no misunderstanding between him and the people he came to serve and save. In his final hours he assured his followers:

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:25-26.)

Let there be no misunderstanding about it. The Holy Spirit guides you in knowing the truth of Jesus, the truth that sets you free in God's peace.

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Lincoln spoke of the responsibilities of those in government, but the need to guard against misunderstanding extends to private groups and individuals as well: in your family, at work or school, at church. How does the fact that Jesus is the source of both truth and peace encourage you to clear up misunderstandings with others in those areas?

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 [Tim is a California native who changed his major three times, colleges four times, and took six years to get a Bachelor’s degree in a subject he’s never been called on to use professionally. Married for almost 30 years with two grown kids, his family is constant evidence of God’s abundant blessings in his life. He and his wife live in Northern California. He blogs, and is on Twitter and Facebook too.]

A reflection on demolition

photo Jeannie Prinsen, November 2016

The other day when I was out walking, I stopped to take this picture. St. Joseph St. Mary Catholic School -- Allison's first school, about six blocks from our house -- is being demolished. 

When Allison started at this wonderful little school in 2003, there were over 75 students spanning junior kindergarten to grade five. By 2015, there was one class, consisting of only about seven primary students. 

With numbers like that, closure was inevitable. But it's still sad to see the walls coming down and the rubble piling up. Right now the city is proposing that the property be repurposed for a combination of park land, affordable housing, and private development. It's the latter that is most controversial. No one seems to have objected to the demolition of the building itself; it was old and dated and would need a total, expensive overhaul if it were to be used for any other purpose. It's the question of what will replace it that's causing most of the concern.

Life is like that, too. Loss and change can be so difficult, and some things we lose are not replaceable. Sometimes we start out resisting or fighting the loss or destruction of something: a relationship, a job, a season of life. And when we're forced to admit that the loss or change is going to happen no matter what, we ask, When this is gone, what will take its place?

I felt that way when Jonathan graduated from Grade 8 in June. Of course we'd known it was coming. But suddenly it was imminent, and the prospect of change seemed so overwhelming: no more Rideau Public School. No more familiar faces. No more "Mr. O,"Jonathan's stalwart Educational Assistant for the past eight years. No more walking to school. Jonathan didn't really realize that this would be The End of a wonderful stage of life -- but we did.

And the replacement was full of new unknowns. Bigger building. Big kids and new people everywhere. New classroom. New teacher. New EA. New schedule. New daily bus ride.

 Thankfully, the transition has gone well. Jonathan climbs eagerly on the bus each day, has clicked with his EA, Matt, and seems to enjoy the activities he's doing.

But there are some disorienting aspects, too. Jonathan seems to have lost interest in some of the things he used to love. He no longer wants to go to the schoolyard to do "yellow-blue-red" on the weekends. He doesn't want to go out and play ball in the driveway for an hour after supper anymore. He seems more cranky, and he gets much angrier and more unmanageable when things don't go his way. It's strange: on one level, things are going better than we'd hoped. But on another, they're so much more difficult.

Although demolition is what got me thinking along these lines, it's probably not quite the right metaphor in this situation. Jonathan's not being demolished; he's just growing up and changing. Many of the old familiar things that anchored his world and ours have faded away or changed, and we're all struggling to acclimatize ourselves to a new season -- but not knowing for sure how long that will last, either.

At times like this, this Bible passage encourages me:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

- Lamentations 3:22-23 

It tells me that in spite of changing circumstances, some things are steadfast, like God's presence and faithfulness. I need that reminder right now.