February


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
February 10, 2010

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. -Hebrews 12:14 NIV

Photograph by Liz Brown)

There’s always a chill in the air in February. But the weather patterns now seems to bring storms and colder than normal temperatures every few days. I find it fascinating to observe the weather. Living on the coast makes weather watching especially important and interesting too.

February is also the time that we recognize those we love in observance of Valentines Day. It is a centuries old tradition that was originally called Saint Valentines Day but was shortened to simply Valentines Day as we know it and it continues today. It was intended to honor and recognize romantic love but is now extended to include all those that we cherish.

In a perfect world, we would live in peace with everyone. But sometimes that doesn’t seem possible. The people that hold on to grudges with a death grip are also the ones that easily perceive offenses when none is intended. In short, they are easily offended and quick to judge. It springs forth unexpectedly and contaminates everything. This gives new meaning to the phrase, “there’s a chill in the air”. We have to navigate around people like this as though we are on an obstacle course trying to dodge the debris. This is the result of behavior when a person chooses not to walk in peace. The best we can do when these situations arise is to pray, pray and pray some more. And then let it go. Surrender it to God. Trying to be peaceful with someone that doesn’t want to be peaceful bears no fruit and is toxic. The tearing down, the judgment and condemnation serves no good but to feed grudges and offenses with more fuel. He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends Proverbs 17:9 NIV

God created us to live a life of excellence, to live our days in joy, peace and love. He has mighty work for us to do if we can step up and over the pettiness we encounter in life. God loves us and that is unwavering. His love is unconditional. What more do we need to move forward? Charles Dickens said “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.”

As much as it depends on us, we are to live in love and peace. Valentines Day is a reminder to show love and to renew our commitment to God to walk in His Ways.