Peace. Seems to be a bit elusive these days. Global feuds. Threats of war. Terrorism. Senseless shootings. Random acts of violence. Bothered hearts. Worried minds. Anxious thoughts. Appears like it truly is peace out.

Yet, peace is one of the greatest gifts God has given to us! In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet Isaiah foretold of the peace we would experience upon Christ’s arrival. On that exceptional night when heaven broke open and angels filled the sky proclaiming the birth of our Savior, I imagine they could have declared all sorts of amazing things about Jesus. What they said was, “Peace on earth . . .” As Jesus knew his ministry on this earth was ending He said to us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27).  And Paul reminds us to “… let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15).

Where does peace seem to elude you these days? Where does the world long for peace? Where does your workplace need peace? What about your family?

The name Prince of Peace reminds us that only through Jesus will we truly have peace. Christ can indeed bring peace to any situation. The most difficult circumstance, the most ruthless enemy, the deepest pain – none of these are beyond Christ’s reach.

Take some time to be still this Christmas. Turn off your cell phone, dim the lights, turn off the music and just sit by the Christmas tree. Visualize peace in those situations that need it. Pray peace in those situations that need it. Thank God that He gives us perfect peace.

        Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:14 (The Message

It’s true what they say: “You don’t know what you have until its gone.”

Two weeks ago, I woke up, looked in the mirror and realized I had lost my smile. Literally. No movement. No twitch. No smirk. No pucker. No wink. No wrinkled brow. No smile. The sinus infection turned ear infection I had been struggling with morphed in to full blown mastoiditis resulting in paralysis of the facial nerve on the left side of my face.

I missed my smile.

Funny thing is, I don’t think I’ve ever been accused of “wearing out my smile.” I’m an introvert. A smile is not the facial expression I default to when concentrating, daydreaming, or focusing intensely on something.  I can glare, crinkle my brows, and let my lips fall into a frown. It’s not that I’m angry or sad.  I’m probably having a wonderful time frolicking through enchanted imaginary worlds in my mind. But it often comes with the question, “What’s wrong? Where’s your smile?”

It’s true what they say: “You don’t know what you have until its gone.”

The other day, I woke up, looked in the mirror and realized I had found my smile. Literally. My face moved. There was a twitch. A smirk. A pucker, A wink. A wrinkled brow. Well, hello there smile! Trust me, a smile is something I no longer take for granted.

Who needs your smile today?

1. You!

That’s right. You need to smile at yourself today. Get up. Look in the mirror and smile. God is smiling on you and so should you!

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. Numbers 6:24-26

2. Others!

Who needs your smile today? Whose day can you make better? Whose life can you bring some joy to?

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart… Proverbs 15:30

Go ahead. Smile. Don’t wait till it’s gone!

 

You know that moment when you sit down at a table and realize that it’s not level? You throw your elbows up on the table and your friend sitting on the opposite side gets coffee dumped in her lap? Or every time you place your hands on the table the sugar packets placed in the center of it go sliding into the floor? You inspect the issue and realize that either one leg is missing, isn’t quite flat on the ground for some reason, or the floor isn’t level? Whatever the cause, something is out of balance.

So, what do you do? You grab one of those sugar packets (or two or three) and slide it under the uneven leg. Taaa Daaa! All is well. Now you can eat with your friend without feeling like you are on the deck of the Titanic.

Do you think your life is ever like that uneven table? Like something is out of whack? Like it’s not in perfect balance?

Let’s assume the table (your life) has three legs: work, play, and rest. Is the work leg ever a little longer than the play and rest legs causing your life to be out of balance? Perhaps you need to even your life out a little with adding some sugar to the play and rest side of things?

Or let’s assume the table (your life) has four legs which represent the dimensions of holistic wellness: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Would you say your life is out of balance? Do you spend more time in the gym than you do in your Bible? Does your worry and anxiety have you leaning too far to one side? Where might you need to even things up a bit with some sugar packets?

Go ahead, sit at the table of your life and see where things need a little leveling!