“Chemistry and math go together. They’re like best friends.”
-6th grader
An argument ensued in English class the other day about whether or not chemistry is in the science family or in the math family. The kids went back and forth a few times until little-mister-peacemaker stood up held his arms out as if he were holding back two prize-fighters and said, “Chemistry and math go together. They’re like best friends.” That seemed to satisfy everyone, and they moved on.
If you google “peacemaker”, do you know what you’ll see? You’ll see links to guns, pictures of guns, and references to black ops and other military strategies. You’ll also see references to the Bible and ministries related to “keeping the peace.” Talk about juxtaposition! I expected to see the Bible stuff, but the guns littering the page shocked me into a reality I haven’t given a lot of thought.
I’d like to say that in order to keep the peace, we would never have to use violence, but I don’t know if history proves that. It really doesn’t seem like Hitler would have listened to reason or an appeal from humanity.
John F. Kennedy said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
Perhaps we should start with a smile. (Mother Teresa said that.)
People think it’s impossible to have real peace without violence, but I’m not so sure. Maybe it just takes more work than most are willing to apply.
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
May we strive to make peace a reality not just in the WORLD, but in our little piece of it. It starts with the courage to stand up when others are fighting and offer a solution, and I guess it starts with a willingness to listen when others say things with which we do not agree. That’s not so easy, but it’s worth a try. Peace, my friends!
