Peace

I had a good week. I am optimistic about my future. I am surprisingly sad at the prospect of leaving where I live. I submitted a paper. I am busy at work (in a good way) and outside of work. I have decisions to make.

I wish I had written this post earlier in the week.

I wish I had finished my Christmas and Hanukkah cards before today.

Alas, I did not, and there are parents facing the tragic loss of their children that I cannot begin to comprehend.

It is the week of 'Peace' during advent, and tonight I am wishing many people peace in their lives. Yesterday I would have been able to write a more calming 'Peace' post. Today, I will leave you with some thoughts by more articulate people that now take on a new meaning. From our church service last weekend:

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, look heavenward and speak the word outloud.
Peace. We look at or world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, and then into ourselves.
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.                                               ~Maya Angelou

From our Associate Pastor's installation last weekend, the Prayer of St. Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.