BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD

That night, I cried myself to sleep again. There was really nothing I could do anymore. My heart resigned to the fact that they would not be reconciled again, ever. It was terribly frustrating. The next morning, I woke up thinking about the good old days. I hate my mind sometimes for not shutting down when I wanted to forget everything. I still remembered vividly the days when my younger sister and I were carried by our dad’s strong arms and my mom would jokingly wanted to be carried too. We often went picnicking and as we scampered around under his watchful eyes, my own eyes would catch hold of tender hugs and kisses of the two lovebirds. I felt such peace and security when my parents did that. It was a little like heaven on earth.

Those days were gone. Why people could love each other so much previously and then turned so nasty a little later on? It was bewildering and overwhelming. I felt helpless and distressed. As I prayed for them, I was brought to remembrance how I was a successful mediator between few disputing friends in different times and situations. Could I do the same with my parents? Yes, there was a mention of the dreaded ‘D’ word but if I give up, it might become a reality. That to me would be disastrous!

“Wake up, dear! Time for school,” my mom called in her usual sweet voice. I called her, “the master chef” as she could cook delicious meals throughout the day, deserts, appetizer you named it. When I greeted her that day, it was not her usual cheery self anymore. That sad look on her face broke my heart to thousand pieces. That day, it did something inside me. I was fired up to be a mediator, by ‘hook or by crook’. It would be my greatest task, the most challenging and emotional one thus far, I thought to myself.

“Hi, dad!” I spoke as he opened the door for me. He was staying in his friend’s house. Although separated from my mom just few weeks ago, he looked distraught and messy. “How is your sister?” he asked sadly. I knew he would bring up this topic of his favourite daughter. “She is not good, dad. Her grades are down and I heard crying from inside her room,” I told him the truth, the whole truth. “I am so sorry, June. I know it would affect both of you but..,” I saw drops of tears from his eyes. We hugged and cried together.

“I know this is between you and mom but just tell me what can I do, anything, so that both of you could come back together?” I asked softly but firmly.  In my heart, I was willing even to die to see them reconciled. “I know even though you can talk it over with mom, it would not be back to good days straight away, no matter how I wished,” I quickly added before he could give his excuses.

“It is not that easy, June. Can your mom accept the person I have become? Yes, I know I was not like before but she has to come to term with who I am,” he blurted.

“But will you accept her as she is the same you wanted her to accept you?” I chipped. “Can both of you let God do the changing?”

“I don’t know. We are just not compatible anymore,” my dad raised his voice in frustration, sounded confused. “Dad, it is not about compatibility but about taking the lead to make things right.  “Can you do it for me, for Sue?” I pleaded. An unexpected silence ensued. Although his ego refused to let him nod his head, I could see his heart was willing to give it a try.

"I don’t know how now, after I had said some nasty things to her,” my dad surprised me with those words.

“Dad, I stayed with mom and I know for a fact she is devastated with what had happened! Give it a good try,” I pressed.  From the bag that I brought, I took out some freshly baked cookies, taken (or stolen) from mom for my dad. “Dad, I have to go now. These are for you,” I said and hugged him again.

I was awakened by someone rushing into my room. “Sue, can’t you have the courtesy to knock first? What happened? Tell me?” I demanded. “June! June! Come out to the hall and see for yourself!” my lovely sister said and roughly held my hands to lead me out.

What I saw that day I would not forget for the rest of my life! They were hugging so tight no ants could even pass through! I knelt down and cried! Both of them knelt with me and together with Sue, we ‘entangle’ ourselves, promised never to disentangle again!

My dad brought me to see a ‘Man’ that everyone thought was the Messiah promised long ago. He would be like the Saviour of mankind. We went there early just like our usual picnic days! I was happy beyond measure! A large crowd was there already when we arrived. I saw the Person my dad brought me to see and hear. I felt the presence of God so real when he stood up to speak.

He taught, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Jesus the Christ paused.

I felt two pair of gentle hands on my back. Turning around, I found out it was my parents’ hands and they were in tears! “He is speaking of you,” my dad whispered! And when I looked again at Jesus, I saw he was looking at me and smiled. Those were the best days of my life!

How many people in the world today desire peace! Most if not all! Countless people are peace lovers but sadly not many dare to be peacemakers. In the beatitude, Jesus taught the connection between peacemakers with sons (or daughters) of God.  If you profess to be a child of God, you are called to be peacemakers! The message is plain and clear.

There is a difference between worldly peacemakers and a Christian one. Yes, we must stand for peace and we must also try our best to make peace with two disputing parties. Yet, our call is of a higher nature! We are called to help reconcile the lost to God. We reach out to those whose lives are empty without God and are anxious without assurance of the love of God. This peace that God gives the world will never understand until they are made right with God.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives (John 14:27).

Oh, the joy and satisfaction of seeing wrecked lives reconcile with the peace of God! But greater joy would be the one who ignites and starts that process of reconciliation!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18-20).

Next: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mat 5:10).
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2012/09/blessed-are-those-who-are-persecuted.html