The following is a guest post by Bri Marshall. Check out her site here.
Children are the Peacemakers
I love the Christ-like peace children have. They know what is right from wrong. It mentions many times in the scriptures about obtaining the nature of children, being a light, or having the spirit as a child, in John 12:36, Mosiah 3:19, Moroni 7:19.
I see in my children the peace and light they bring. I’m very lucky to have them. Their whole presence is good. I cannot help but smile when I wake up to see them in the morning or when they go to bed. They are a bright light that is around at all times of the day and at all times of the night.
From my experiences, they encourage goodness and choosing the right multiple times of the day. I have instances where they have gently corrected me when I have been upset. Softly they speak and remind me that I do want to be more kind and speak with love. I know I teach them these principles so they are learning them through what I say, but I know that the spirit of Christ is in them prompting them to express those gentle reminders and loving words.
When they make a mistake they can easily decipher if it was wrong. Children quickly apologize with a humble heart and want to make things right. They are Peacemakers. They want love in their home and to be happy. I see it and feel it. It reminds me of when I was a child and experienced those moments. I want to strive to envelop that Christ-like inner child to create peace and love in my home.
I love this entry from the Liahona in July 2009 from Henry B. Eyring called, “Blessed Are The Peacemakers,” President Eyring expressed such truth and love on the wonderful blessings of peace.
“I testify that God knows you. He cares about those around you, and He loves you. You are His disciple, and that makes you a light to people. When you act with faith to offer the gospel and peace to those around you, they will feel the light of the Savior. You will have pointed the way.”
The Lowly in Heart
And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God.
Feeling lowly in heart to me is allowing your thoughts to be at peace and humbled to receive promptings from the spirit. I feel a love from my God that is open to me wanting to become closer to him.
I believe we have all had these experiences where we feel lowly in heart and humble to do what is right so we can feel the peace that comes from the spirit.
My personal experience with peace in my heart
I went through an experience at the age of 8 that felt like one of the biggest movements to my heart and will be a life experience that I will share on many occasions.
I was in my room one night as all my family was getting ready for bed. I put on my pajamas and sat on my bed about to read a few verses of scripture and say my prayer. I remember this night so clearly. I looked around my room that had pictures of Mormon ads on them and church standards.
I read my posters on the wall and kneeled down next to my bed to say a prayer. I was flooded with emotions and began to cry. I wanted to be with Heavenly Father. I knew he was watching over me and I wanted to have Him come visit me to give me a big hug. I prayed for a long time. I remember standing up crying looking around for Him because I wanted Him to come that night. I ended up falling asleep later. The whole time I was praying I felt His presence and love telling me that He will always be with me. I knew anytime I sincerely prayed from then on that I could feel His closeness and love that brought peace.
I look back and think about why I wanted to have Heavenly Father visit me so badly. I think about why He didn’t come give me a hug. I think about how big of a faith move that was for me. I wasn’t exactly sure why…but it was a day that changed my life.
I reflect on my feelings and thoughts that night and think of how similar they are to prayers I have now where I desire peace and comforting thoughts. I believe they are moments that I’m lowly and meek in my heart.
Prayer humbles our thoughts
I have prayers where my heart sinks deep into my chest and swells up. To me that’s when I can feel love and peace from the spirit. I don’t always know what I will get out of my prayer but I feel humbled as I earnestly express my thoughts.
My mom gave me a picture of my name with a definition of it as a baby. I still have the picture today. I have had it hung up on my walls as long as I can remember. I tried to read it daily. Since moving it has been in storage but I think about the words on it often. I can’t remember every word but it says, “Brianna has a loving full heart that strives to be a peacemaker.” Everyday I think about how I can be a peacemaker like a little child would.
That moment in my bedroom I felt complete peace. I feel that same peace as often as I sincerely pray. I am reminded of that same thought I had of Heavenly Father always being close to me.
Since the age of eight, I have wanted to find ways to be a peacemaker and be meek and lowly in heart.
These are what work for me to feel that lowliness in heart:
- Earnestly Pray
- Praying every time you have a prompting to do so
- If the spirit speaks, listen
- Humble yourself and remove all negativity from your thoughts
- Be a light
- Envelop the nature of a child
- Quickly repent
- Find good in everyone
- Love everyone with all their shortcomings
- Do what Jesus would do
I look back at those moments I had as a child and see them in my children now. Our spirits were and are trying to do what is right. We want that peace and comfort of the holy ghost. I feel loved and my best when I pray to my Heavenly Father.
I continue to strive for His daily presence. I strive to have peace in my heart and be a peacemaker. My children are wonderful reminders of that.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
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