DAY 17 CHRISTMAS GOOD NEWS: BECOMING PEACEMAKERS

As unfair accusations spewed across the universe of Facebook, I longed to hit back, to defend myself and others emphatically in that very public forum. Finding my words taken out of context, my motives questioned, and my good intentions mis-understood by others and then twisted into something hurtful and mean was dev-astating. Then when a multitude of others suddenly joined in the public fray, taking sides without knowing all the facts and without knowing the parties involved, half a dozen people on both sides of the issue were left bleeding blue Facebook blood.

I prayed about how to respond— and when I say “pray,” I mean I mostly sobbed. I trusted God to know my heart in those moments, because words utterly failed me. While I prayed, I held still. I zipped my lips, took no action, and sought out God.

After the initial swirl of emotion settled, I sensed a deep hurt beneath the anger of some of the others involved, and after three days had passed, I was sure of my next steps. I sent private messages to several people, extending gentle invita-tions to meet for coffee so I could give them a sincere apology for hurts caused unintentionally. 

Whom did I find sitting across from me over coffee? Vulnerable, wounded people who are good and decent and kind. People who shared fears of their own as we spoke, whose tear- stained cheeks revealed that we are far more alike than we are dif-ferent. Our meetings ended in hugs and promises to join forces, to be united rather than divided— and that has held true. I’ve found allies instead of foes, and we’ve worked hard together on projects to make our community a stronger, better place.

Being a peacemaker is not for the faint of heart. It involves facing conflict head on, laying down our own rights, and searching beneath angry words for a raw wound and a tender heart. God blesses those who seek peace, who do the quiet, difficult work of reconciliation. When we choose to be peacemakers, we are called the children of God. 

Today’s Act of Kindness — The next time you find yourself in a heated debate, choose to intentionally look through conflict to see the hurt the other person is carrying. Respond to that hurt instead of fueling the fire. 

This excerpt is from One Year Daily Acts of Kindess, available at OMF Lit Bookshops, shop.omflit.com, Shopee, and Lazada for P365.