bits from bob....

Our 6-month old granddaughter has a pacifier. After raising three sons, I still don't know whether babies ought to have pacifiers. Once they have one, they won't give it up. Another bad habit must be broken. Regardless, I began thinking....

"To pacify: to soothe or settle, to allay anger or agitation." Our word pacify is related to peace and calm. Babies have pacifiers; adults have pacifiers. Have you ever noticed them?

What are the pacifiers in your life? What gets you through life? What keeps your life on an even keel? Some claim emotional venting through cursing helps. Other say smoking calms the nerves. I've heard claims that getting drunk brings peace, although my observation indicates otherwise. Some hold grudges to make life seem fair.

Every person who lives at peace has a pacifier. Pacifiers are not all bad. (Sleep at times seems a necessity to young parents.) My primary pacifier is Jesus Christ. When life is tumultuous and relationships are near breaking, only He brings genuine peace. When life assaults and the coping skills stretch, only He provides meaningful peace.

Life is difficult. People break, but afterward some are strong in the broken places. "Insofar as you can, live at peace with one another....depend upon God and the peace that passes understanding will protect your heart in Christ Jesus....therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ....peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you." Do you believe it? I do. I recommend my Pacifier. "Peace on earth, good will toward men."