It was another warm day. And I enjoyed going to the gym, and got to see some more of my favorite small people.

So many of my friends and acquaintances are very spun up about recent events. Even my grandson was upset and looking to his mom for answers about what will happen in his world. The circumstances of the actual events are not as important as the fact that external forces are being allowed to steal our peace and serenity. And we are turning that loss and fear onto our fellow man. And it is ugly.

Funny enough, the song that keeps running through my head today is “Let There be Peace On Earth”…we used to sing it when I was little in church, each person holding hands in the congregation, all the way around the inside of the church building. The binding love of Christ was there as the words floated in the morning air…

“Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.”

I am grateful for those moments 45 years ago, even though I remember little else about church. And it is a comfort, and a reminder that God expects me, His people, to be an agent of peace. To do what I can every single day in the cause of that peace.

My recovery allows me to be at peace with myself, so that I can extend that out into my world. Doing the work of coming to terms with my pain and fear internally is a responsible thing to pursue. I will have a difficult time empathizing or caring for my neighbor if I can’t forgive or love myself.

Some thoughts for the evening. Much love to all of you.