Making Peace Monday

Do those pictures bring you peace and thrill your soul like they do mine? They are, of course, from beautiful New Hampshire, and my talented niece Megan took them. (She's only 16, but she also took the picture that's in the banner of my blog!) I just wanted to share before writing the last weekly installment of Making Peace Monday.

As a review, here are the 4 steps given for Peace Making as outlined by Peace Maker Ministries:

• Glorify God--The first step is to ask the game changing question of ourselves, "How do I glorify God in this situation?"
• Get the Log Out of Your Eye--Before confronting anyone, we have to consider our own contribution to the problem. God is always faithful to shed light on my dark places!
• Gently Restore--This is the step where I really struggle. It's where we have the one-on-one conversation to try to work through the conflice
• Go and Be Reconciled--I realized that this is the step I've often left out completely. It's working to move past the conflict with relationship completely restored and even strengthened. It's where forgiveness sprouts feet.

Here's the quote that has grabbed my heart and shaken, "Our forgiveness show what we think of God's forgiveness."

Oh my! When I'm not willing to forgive, it's a reflection of spiritual pride. I've forgotten how much I've been forgiven by God. Lord, help me to walk humbly, dispensing forgiveness and grace the way you've lavished them on me.

I hope this series has challenged you like it's challenged me. Mondays are going to change focus now, and I want to give you some hints. I'm going to do a series of quotes from a person from whom I've been soaking in wisdom. Put on your sneakers and your cardigans to get ready for upcoming Mondays! Any guesses?