Finding Peace?

For many years I have liked the word peace. In the Seventies, "peace" was designated as a pie-shaped symbol or the common two-fingered V-shaped hand gesture. Back then we were speaking of world peace or a world without the Vietnam War. As the years went by and the "Peace, brother" movement died, I still liked the word peace. Perhaps because I wanted peace in my life. About ten or more years ago, I started thinking of peace as being a balance in my life. I also discovered that the phonetic spelling of the word peace is pes, which are the first letters of words physical, emotional and spiritual.

I collect lions which is also a throwback to the Seventies and the popularity of astrology. I am a Leo and that got me started on collecting lions. Hubby says that I can "spot a lion a mile away," in reference to my ability to spot lions while shopping. I have become very discerning about my lion purchases after my collection grew to over 200 lions. Unusual and rare materials that have been formed into a lion are the objects that I buy now. My last lion was one made of wire and glass beads.

A collection of another type is not as large as my lion collection, however I can spot one quite easily. These items have the word peace on them. In fact as I sit typing this, above my computer is a large picture of Goose Island in St. Mary's Lake in Glacier National Park. I finally figured out where the picture was taken and was fortunate to see the same view on our trip this fall. In fact the picture of hubby and I in our Christmas letter shows us by this lake. To get back to the picture, the caption is: "Serenity - Peace is found not in what surrounds us, but in what we hold within."

Yes, there is truth to that statement. Although we can be at peace in surroundings like Glacier National Park, we will not necessarily find peace there. A person can have the most beautiful surroundings, the most money, the skinniest body and yet not find peace nor feel peace.

I was reminded of that today as I read through the Sunday paper. An advertisement grabbed my attention as a local craftsman has a Peace Ornament for sale. It's beautiful and would add to my growing collection of "peace" ornaments on my Christmas tree or my wall of "peace" objects (commonly crosses). "Priced at $95 in sterling silver...." it is affordable for a working woman such as myself. I tore out the ad with plans to strategically place it in hubby's view. It hit me.... Will one more "peace" object bring me any more peace? I can be surrounded by "peace" objects, yet I will not find peace. The 95 dollars peace ornament nor the 95 cents peace ornament will not find me the peace I want and desire. Yes, I have tried to find peace in many places and things..... homes, jobs, food, activities, hobbies, trips, drink, relationships.... you name it, I may have tried to find peace or serenity in it! Where do I go from here?

In church we share the greeting, "Peace be with you." Again, we seem to be missing the point. We ask for peace to surround, to be with our pew-mates, yet should we not be declaring, "Peace be within you"?