JUNE 20 TO JULY 16
Peace is not the absence of conflict. There will always be
conflict, pain, and suffering in our lives. Peace is being able to
turn that conflict, that pain, that suffering into something of
lasting value.
PRAYER
Lord, I've done all the correct things. I've really tried. But I am
still lonely and hurting.
REFLECTION
We're half way through the year. This would be a good time to
go back and review your New Year's resolutions. You might
want to modify them.
The (grand)children are out of school. This would be a good
time to take an afternoon or evening and spend it with them.
Tell them some stories about the persons for whom you
grieve.
If the youngsters are interested you might want to work with
them in putting together a scrapbook about their ancestors.
ACTION
Use your diary to describe those experiences in your life in
which you were able to turn pain, conflict or suffering into
something of lasting and genuine value.
Describe the feelings you experienced when you became
aware of what you had been able to accomplish. THAT IS
PEACE!
Don't forget the standard questions:
Is there anyone I need to forgive?
What experiences are still hard for me?
Have I reached out to anyone lately?
Are there still ways I am saying "no" to life?
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
One of the greatest barriers to our spiritual growth is taking
ourselves too seriously. We forget that the work of the Lord is
done by the Lord not by us. The Lord can use any kind of
instrument or tool to do his work. All he asks is that we be
willing.
Use some time this summer to rest. Forget about your
problems. Simply enjoy the days. Enjoy the warm weather
rather than complaining about it. Take advantage of the long
hours of daylight.
Take the (grand)children swimming or out to get some ice
cream. Enjoy them. They will not be children very long.
TO CONTINUE
TO RETURN TO INDEX
TO EMAIL bill crumley