“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”

The other day I saw a story about a young man who became so angry during his family Thanksgiving get-together that he was kicked out. Shortly thereafter, he returned and set the house on fire. I’ve always wondered about stories of fights within families at holiday gatherings. I know they happen, and I’m not naïve about the dynamics of these occasions. I also heard in the news today that domestic violence increases considerably during the holidays. On the other hand, I have watched people with troubled family situations rise above those difficulties and serve as peacemakers and kingdom representatives in very challenging moments. Solomon talks about them in this verse. They show themselves to be truly honorable people. By the way they either see through to the heart of the pain that provokes those challenges or choose to overlook them and continue to love with kindness in spite of them. At the core, there is often a lack of recognition of what is being celebrated. A Savior who remained completely silent while being persecuted and ultimately nailed to a tree models for us the behavior Solomon is reflecting on. Jesus was certainly honorable in everything He did. He is our goal. Today, be the blessed peacemaker—not just in your family, which probably doesn’t need it—but in a world that desperately does. #BeTheEdge

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus