“Keeping the peace” is associated with someone who just wants there to be external peace. ⁣

I can think of many times in my life where there’s been an issue with someone else, but I’ve resorted to just keeping the peace.

I’m still upset or sad or frustrated, but I make everything seem fine and say the right words to keep people happy. ⁣

But being a “peacemaker” is associated with someone who wants to help find internal peace for everyone. ⁣

(Which, side note, often ends up in external peace, too, but might take a bit longer to get there.)⁣

As I’ve matured emotionally and spiritually, I’ve learned that sacrificing my own inner peace to keep situations “happy” is NOT the answer. ⁣

Having sometimes uncomfortable conversations about what is wrong, in calm and level-headed ways, inviting the Spirit, is the real way to bring inner peace. ⁣

Abraham and Lot were having some land issues. ⁣

There just straight up wasn’t enough room for both of them anymore. ⁣

No one was being evil, this was no one’s fault. Life is just messy sometimes. ⁣

Abraham DIDN’T tell his herdsmen to just deal with it and be nice. He didn’t pretend like nothing was wrong. ⁣

He had the conversation with his nephew Lot. Maybe it was awkward at first. Maybe Abraham was dreading the conversation. ⁣

But he led with love, with peace, AND with straightforwardness. ⁣

“Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.” (Genesis 13:8) ⁣

He also came with a solution ready to go, one that would require action on both of their parts. They would both move to different lands of their choosing. ⁣

And it worked!⁣

Abraham sought true inner peace for both himself and his nephew who he cared about. He was kind and Christlike. He had an idea for a solution. And Abraham was blessed greatly. ⁣

“To be a peacemaker is not to be weak but to be strong in a way that the world may not understand.” – Elder Stevenson

How can you do the harder, but more rewarding, work of being a peacemaker today?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Peace keeping vs. Peacemaking  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Blessed are the peacemakers”. (Matthew 5:9)

Be kind!

Share!

Be a peacemaker!

Buuuuut… “Lord, is it I?”

There is probably a more “spiritually mature” way that I could work on becoming a peacemaker, too.

In my home, yes, but also every sphere that I interact with!

Here are some ideas I’ve thought of:

– Fulfilling your church calling without adding any drama⁣

– Serving your spouse in a way they would appreciate ⁣

– Not posting things on social media with the sole purpose of riling people up⁣

– Reaching out to serve someone in a way that will add peace to their life

– Not passing gossip or dramatic stories on when they aren’t your stories to share

– Choosing not to complain to or guilt trip someone

– Making time a priority for your own quiet “peaceful” time to reset yourself or study the gospel ⁣

– Learning new parenting strategies and applying them to help you in interactions with kids⁣

– Following guidelines at work or at school that help others to also be peaceful and successful

– Allowing others to make decisions you disagree with⁣

I did hear once that “being a peacemaker is different than just agreeing with everyone”.

And I like that.

We can still have our opinions, needs, boundaries, and standards while also being a source of peace.

Or rather… while pointing people to the real source of peace.

The Prince of Peace.

The more Jesus that I experience in my life, the greater peace I feel.

And the greater peace that I feel on the inside, the more likely I am to be able to spread that with the people around me.

Everyone’s looking for peace.

Peace on earth.

And if we can’t make everyone see that there is peace in Christ, we can at least find our own peace.

And then become a peacemaker to share a bit of that calm joy with others.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

How are you a peacemaker?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Blessed are the peacemakers  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

She’s recently learned how to read a whole bunch of words and is obsessed with trying to read anything she sees.

I had an article up on my computer that had the word “peacemaker” in the title.

Quin tried sounding out the word a few times and then asked me for help. (Those soft Cs are brutal!)

“Peacemaker”, I said.

“What’s a peacemaker?” she asked.

I was in the middle of getting work done while my other two little kiddos napped.

“Someone who brings peace,” I quickly said.

“What is peace?” she asked.

I heard the baby starting to stir. We had definitely talked about peace before, so I tried to think of the fastest way to explain it again.

“Peace is when we feel calm and quiet and happy,” I said.

“Oh, just like Jesus!” Quin said.

I finally realized what was going on and took my fingers off the keyboard.

Yes, we’ve been rocking family scripture study lately.

Yes, we’ve had lessons about peace.

Yes, she’s been to church and learned about peace.

But the real learning in my four year old’s brain was happening right here at the kitchen table on a Tuesday afternoon while I was trying to work.

I stopped what I was doing and we talked about peace. We talked about Jesus. She gave me examples of what brought her peace. We talked about being a peacemaker with her brother and examples of when she’s done that well.

Within five minutes, the conversation was over and I was soothing the baby.

Until the next day when she and her brother started fighting over a toy they both wanted.

I looked over to see her hand over the toy, find a different toy, and then offer to trade him a few minutes later.

The word “peacemaker” came to my mind.

I called her over, complimented her, and we had a quick little conversation about peace again.

And we’ve talked about it like five more times since then.

Teaching like that honestly takes some patience, vision, and even a bit of courage to start.

But real learning happens best in real life.

“Teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Teaching at my table first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Keeping the peace” is associated with someone who just wants there to be external peace.

I can think of many times in my life where there’s been an issue with someone else, but I’ve resorted to just keeping the peace.

I’m still upset or sad or frustrated, but I make everything seem fine and say the right words to keep people happy.

But being a “peacemaker” is associated with someone who wants to help find internal peace for everyone.

(Which, side note, often ends up in external peace, too, but might take a bit longer to get there.)

As I’ve matured emotionally and spiritually, I’ve learned that sacrificing my own inner peace to keep situations “happy” is NOT the answer.

Having sometimes uncomfortable conversations about what is wrong, in calm and level-headed ways, inviting the Spirit, is the real way to bring inner peace.

Abraham and Lot were having some land issues.

There just straight up wasn’t enough room for both of them anymore.

No one was being evil, this was no one’s fault. Life is just messy sometimes.

Abraham DIDN’T tell his herdsmen to just deal with it and be nice. He didn’t pretend like nothing was wrong.

He had the conversation with his nephew Lot. Maybe it was awkward at first. Maybe Abraham was dreading the conversation.

But he led with love, with peace, AND with straightforwardness.

“Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.” (Genesis 13:8)

He also came with a solution ready to go, one that would require action on both of their parts. They would both move to different lands of their choosing.

And it worked!

Abraham sought true inner peace for both himself and his nephew who he cared about. He was kind and Christlike. He had an idea for a solution. And Abraham was blessed greatly.

“I ask us to be peacemakers—to love peace, to seek peace, to create peace, to cherish peace.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Being a peacemaker first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.