“No more hurting people.  Peace.”

These are the words of 8-year-old Martin Richard, of Dorchester, Massachusets.  They are from a poster he created in school, after the  shooting death of Trayvon Martin.  When Martin Richard was killed in the bomb blast at the Boston Marathon, his clear, hopeful message was lifted up by people around the world.

Thanks to Bob Gross of On Earth Peace for showing me this story.  Although battling violence is only a part of working for peace, it seems like a constant job for our society. A lot of times it is the faith of a child that reminds us and encourages us to keep our faith active.  The child’s story is encouragement enough that peace is necessary, peace is practical, and peace is tangible. His story makes him a peacemaker.  Not only to his parents, but he is a child of God, and therefore he has a blessing. I hope this story continues to reach people and encourages people to work together for the sake of making this world a less violent place.

Last month, Bill Haley spoke at a workshop at my church on Shalom as Human Flourishing. That is exactly what Shalom is – doing everything we can in an effort for betterment.  After all, that is what God asks for us.  Together with millions of people around the world, the group at Wakeman’s Grove Church of the Brethren participated in the International Day of Prayer for Peace on September 21. Together we can make a difference.  With God’s help, and with each other’s.

There is no denying that violence is a problem in our lives.   What difference can we make in our communities to fight violence?  What difference can I make in mine?