Peace Place

I meant to write about this earlier this week but I didn't get around to it.

In our classroom, we've established what we call the "Peace Place."

The peace place is a very special place in the classroom, though it might not look like it to an outsider.

The peace place is simply a cross hanging on a ledge with open floor space below it.

There are many conflicts with young children. The smallest things that happen can create the biggest problem. And the automatic response is to come running to me or my co-op and saying, "So-and-so stuck his tongue out at me!"  "So-and-so won't let me sit with them!"

Those problems can usually be solved with a simple conversation between the two, but some conflicts require the two arguing parties to make a trip to the peace place.

Let me tell you, it is so awesome to see those kids come to the peace place.

Whenever I overhear someone say, "We need to go to the Peace Place," if I'm not teaching or helping someone, I always go to my desk (which is by the Peace Place), and eavesdrop.

Those children know what to do when they are there. They first pray. (Which, to hear their prayers, is so incredible). Then they talk about how they feel and how they can fix the situation. Sometimes it takes longer than others, but they always work it out. And then they pray again. And sometimes I just want to go over there and give them all a big hug!

In our own lives, we've all got a Peace Place we can go for reconciliation and forgiveness. It's the cross.

And you know, sometimes, as I've learned, things aren't as simple as the young children's ability to solve the problem.

Sometimes, we go to the Peace Place and we find that the brother or sister in Christ we are trying to show love to and reconcile and be at peace with, will not join us there.

I've been waiting patiently at the Peace Place for 8 months now. Yes, it's been a long time. I'm still hurting. I'm still waiting.

And I don't know how long I'll be waiting here. As long as it takes. And you know what, it may never happen. That individual may never want to join me at the peace place. That individual may want to continue to go against the presence and the will and the love of God for the rest of their life.

But I will not leave. Jesus is still here with me, wiping away my every tear and reminding me that, yes, it will all be okay. And He's sitting here with me, waiting for that individual to join us.

Others I've wronged have come and gone, and have been at peace with me and with God. But not this individual- they're still avoiding Jesus and I.

And we're patient. We'll always be here. Waiting. Ready.