Finding Peace in RelationshipsSample

What if other people don’t love peace?

I didn’t have time to bake anything fresh. So I went to a local grocery store and bought whatever cookies looked most homemade in the bakery section. Then I steeled myself as I prepared to knock on my neighbor’s door.

Two nights previously, he had knocked on ours to complain about our barking dogs. It had been a nice evening, and I had been distracted.

I knocked and apologized the best I could, smiling brightly, box of cookies in hand. All he could say was, “You left them out a long time.” No “Forgiven! Water under the bridge!” It was clear my peace offering was only begrudgingly accepted.

Would I apologize again? Bring cookies? I sure would. I can’t help his reaction, or anyone’s for that matter. But I can be the one who seeks peace and tries to live it out.

Act

Seek peace with someone you’ve been avoiding.

Pray

God, apologizing and seeking peace isn’t always fun or rewarding. Help me continue to seek it despite others’ acceptance of it.