Blessed Are Peacemakers; They Will Inherit the Earth

The Reason

by Hoobastank

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I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday

And all the pain I put you through
I wish I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear

And the reason is you
I'm not a perfect person

I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

If we want to be true peacemakers, the most vital and intimate peacemaking begins with each of us as individuals within the human family. We cannot support anti-war movements and turn around to attack our neighbor who happens to support another political candidate.
We forgive our selves first and most importantly for our own failings, "I'm not a perfect person," as the lyric records. None of us are. We are not required to be-- to be effective peacemakers.

What is required is that we give evidence of courage and a braveness to forge forward, that we take what is our own and that we own it. Just own it--it is after all  your very own creation, the failing that you have made, "I wish I could take it all away...be the one who catches all your tears." 
You can catch your own tears and do the hard work to "find a reason to show." Even if that reason isn't your first try, or your first thought. Blessed are the Peacemakers, they will inherit the earth.
Peacemaking, forgiveness is powerful, personally and to the world we live in. Let it begin to change you.

Tough Times, Big and Small

Be Not Afraid
by John Michael Talbot 

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You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live. 

Refrain 

Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that
I am with you through it all.

Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you...

In every life there are the tough times, some large problems and some small; how each of us responds is the same, and then it's different. We can have empathy for others because we recognize their struggle--because we have struggled too. We can understand because we are similarly confronted by life's challenges too. And we can respond similarly or differently because of what we know, what our experiences have been and how we see our self in the context of the larger world.

Sometimes, it seems that the greater challenges are actually the little ones. They come upon us quietly, ever so quietly. We hardly notice them at first. Over time they gain strength and focus, forcing us to pay attention, because attention is well, just that, attention. Now in clear focus, will we regard the difficulties and uncertainty in the light of the world as it is, or will we continue to retreat, to hide behind so many 'reasons' and our weaknesses? Will we continue to say 'no', or will no change to a yes. God wants, demands the best part of us. The Lord it seems, most often seeks and wants, most of all, our 'yeses'.