Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, March 26, 2016
PEACE is a Quiet Stream
Continuing on my Pursuing PEACE Project. I feature a fabulous personal definition of PEACE.
(And, thanks, Oakton Community College, for allowing me to come in to the space next to the cafeteria and set up a table. I appreciate members of the Oakton Christian Fellowship for sitting by me and providing a welcome, too.)
This definition comes from a woman who is a bit older than the typical student in their twenties. She gave me her name, her definition, and a whole lot more! Her name is Mack. Her personal definition: “PEACE is a quiet stream.”
When Mack was little, she had a creek in her back yard. Really clear water! She would sit by the water, and watch the water splash over the rocks. More than that, as she got older, she would wade in the water, build dams across the creek and stone forts beside the flowing water (using the mud, of course).
Whenever Mack gets close to water—even today—she plays! She’s walked the Appalachian Trail a number of times, and always takes time to play in the rushing streams near the trail. Every chance she gets, she slows down and heads to the water.
She reminds me that it still works today, too. Streams still bring Mack peace, and an opportunity to slow down, to play.
Thanks to Mack for a poignant, evocative definition of PEACE.
Gracious God, what a description of Your creation. What a marvelous understanding of the world You created. Thank You for simple pleasures, and thank You for people with the wisdom and insight to see the boundless beauty in nature. Praise God.
(Reminder: I will be posting more from the young people at St. Viator’s High School next week, after Easter. Have a great Spring Break and a joyful Holy Week and Easter celebration!)
Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.
Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind. @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er
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