Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God – Matthew 5:9
Dorothy’s nose had detected the odor of dog waste in her yard while working outside. But this time, she no longer wanted to ignore it, not when summer heat would make the smell worse. So, seeking to be proactively peaceful, Dorothy came up with a plan that required a little creativity and a trip to the post office. A week later, she was informed during a conversation with a neighbor, “Whoever sent that flyer out to residents seeking consideration of other people’s property, really paid off. My yard is no longer being used as a dog’s restroom. I surely would like to thank that person.” You have, Dorothy thought with a smile.
There are times to ignore certain behaviors, and there are times to address them. This was my conclusion about a matter that had become a recurring issue I no longer felt appropriate to overlook. It prompted me to Jesus’ teachings about handling conflict, as in Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15, which speak of seeking restoration. However, not in a judgmental or angry tone. But to instead pursue the mannerism Jesus referenced as “Blessed” when choosing to be “peacemakers.”
Just as conflicts come in different shapes and sizes, so will their resolutions differ, and it may require a little imagination. Nevertheless, when we choose to be proactively peaceful, we demonstrate an attitude that’s favorable to God.