Saturday, February 15, 2014

PERFECT PEACE

PERFECT PEACE


                         A teacher of English language was giving a dictation to the class. The students were asked to write down the words dictated by the teacher. Those who write every letter correctly, without any error in spelling would receive a prize. The teacher started the test by announcing the first word – ‘peace’. The students began to write. A bright and brilliant boy stood up and asked the teacher, “Madam, I know three words pronounced similarly. Which of these should we write? The boy meant the similar sounding words – ‘peace’, ‘piece’ and ‘peas’. The teacher forgot that a test was in progress and tried to make her point very clear, “It is p-e-a-c-e peace” she announced. There were roars of laughter.
                         During a painting competition in a school, the students were asked to paint a picture on the theme, ‘peace’. Two paintings were selected from the entries for identifying the final winner. The scrutinizing committee of experts examined the two paintings critically. One painting portrayed beautiful scenery. There were lofty mountains covered by luxuriant green vegetation and a calm lake with still water reflecting with clarity the green mountains and the beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Around the lake were shown green trees bearing fine fruits and fantastic flowers. A pretty bird was enjoying a safe rest in a nice nest on a tall tree with no disturbance. Every part of the pretty picture portrayed perfect rest.
                         The second picture displayed barren mountains and a wild and disturbed sky with dense black clouds and bright lightning indicating a heavy thunderstorm. An angry waterfall was raging with a torrential stream of foamy water on a  rocky hillside. The trees had bent their branches in response to the intense and violent wind. In a cleft in the huge rock, a tiny tree was shown with a small nest on it. Within the nest a small bird was seated, with a slightly opened beak, obviously singing a melodious music, in a state of perfect peace though surrounded by the ferocious forces of nature.
                         The experts examined the two pictures and awarded the first prize to the second picture. Perfect peace is being calm in one’s heart while in the midst of all unavoidable disturbances, troubles, hard work and noise. Real peace is not the state of rest one may enjoy in  serene and silent surroundings without any disturbance or distractions. The peace of God will keep us in peace in the tempests of life. A popular proverb in Malayalam, “Malakal ilakeedilum mahajanaanaam manamilakaa” may be translated as:
Mountains may move; but the minds of masterminds never waver.”
                         The Bible teaches,“The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep for ever my promise of peace”- so says the Lord who loves you” (Isaiah 54: 10}.
                         During World War II, there was heavy bombing throughout a night. The frightened people stayed in trenches for protection. One Christian lady remained in her own home and had a good sleep. The next day, her neighbours asked her, why she slept through the night without fright. In reply, she quoted from Psalm 121, “The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps. The Lord will guard you; He is by your side to protect you…The Lord will protect you from all danger; He will keep you safe” {Palms 121: 4-8}. She added, “I believe that my God never sleeps. So there is no need for both of us to stay awake.”
                         Jesus promised, “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid” {John 14: 27}.
                         St. Paul advises, “Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus” {Philippians 4: 6, 7}.
                         Peace rules the day when Christ rules the heart.



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© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Darsana Academy, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India ( Former Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India), Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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                         This is Story No. 307 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

1 comment:

Emmanuel said...

Very good!
God is love!
Catholic blogwalking http://emmanuel959180.blogspot.in/