BLESSED by a PEACEMAKER
It happened again
today. A workman finished his work and sat down on our deck. “You have a great
view,” he said.
Every time I hear those words, I think of dad.
Every time I hear those words, I think of dad.
Over fifty years ago,
dad moved our family to the Arizona desert. Back then you could get to the
outskirts of Phoenix pretty quickly and dad loved doing breakfast in the
desert. He’d pack us all in the car, along with the camp stove and supplies,
and create some really fun memories.
The desert was fine,
but dad also wanted a cabin in the pines. Knowing there was an affordable
option in the Prescott area, he headed north to look around.
In Search of a Dream
Available lots were around
the edge of a private campground and retreat center. The property was hilly and
filled with huge boulders, but he picked a corner lot where two rough roads
intersected.
The summer cabin he
built was small, like all the others. I always thought the lot we enjoyed had
been his first choice. But when I became his fulltime caregiver, I got the rest
of the story.
One day I was
remarking on the view when Dad said, “I really wanted a lot down closer to the
center of the camp.” I said, “I never knew that.” He said, “I picked it out and
thought it was settled, but then someone insisted they had picked it first.” I
was intrigued at this new information.
“What did you do?” I
asked.
“I explored lots farther
away from the camp center. Not many people wanted to drive up the hills and build
over boulders and gullies.” That explained our cabin, built over major boulders
with a good view because of a gully.Good Choice, Dad
I said, “I’m glad
you let someone have their first choice down below. Nothing could be better
than this view. But which lot was your first choice? Who got it?”
When he declined to say,
I was rather disappointed. But then I thought I don’t need to know. All I need to do is enjoy the view. He kept
his peacemaking decision private right to the grave.
The New Living
Translation says, “God blesses those who work for peace . . ." (Matthew 5:9). During twenty-five years of ministry
in Phoenix, dad and mom enjoyed lots of vacations and short trips to the cabin. Later it became their retirement home.
When my husband and I purchased the cabin as a vacation home, we agreed the folks could always live there. After mom and dad passed away, we decided to make it our retirement home.Peace Just Keeps On Giving
Dad was blessed for
being a peacemaker, but his descendants were blessed, too. Isn’t that how life
is? The decisions we make for good or bad affect not only us, but those around
us now, and those yet to come.
Because I was
blessed by a peacemaker, I’m often reminded to be one.
