Posted by: Freda on: November 23, 2009
In a world of pain, where harsh words abound, my dear Aunt Kitty (Katherine) spoke words of blessing over me. I was about 6 or 7 years old. She sat with me on her living room couch and opened her Bible. For the first time in my life, I learned about the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. She read all through them and then spoke the words that God would use to define my life. She said that I was a peacemaker and even cited an example. She said that when I visited her home, her children didn’t fight, but were happy to play together with me. That example was my goal, the person I wanted to be. I was not that person at home; but in my heart, I longed to be. In a home of violence, I became violent, but hated every minute the physical and emotional strikes that proceeded from me. It was only after I attained adulthood and the healing of my soul, through the love and power of Christ, that I returned to the longing of my soul, to be a peacemaker. In 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, we are encouraged:
“…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 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…”
This is my highest endeavor, to be a peacemaker in a harsh, cruel world, helping people to reconcile with God, with others and with themselves. Another confirmation has been a beautiful blessing; I have learned that my name, Freda, means “peace.” My Aunt Kitty spoke God’s blessing over my life. If you are willing, as she was, God will bless people through your words.
January 11, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Thank you so much for your kind comment. Sorry it took me awhile to notice it and get back with you. I’m learning more about WordPress each time I visit it.