Col 3:15 "Now may the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body, and be thankful." The peace of God rules, bringing unity of mind and purpose through an overflow of thanks. When centered on what we are grateful for, those things that make us one and knit us together, we have pace in our relationships. As a people, we so often focus on the negatives; just watch the news....We se all the little annoyances, nurse our interpersonal wounds, cry out for our own rights and afeel keenly when our expectations aren't met. We may often feel under -appreciated for all the things we do that go unnoticed, unappreciated. All these things can break peace and unity, filling us with strife, leaving us wondering what we had in common in the first place. The road to redemption? Interpersonal peace and unity? It's paved with gratitude. 
Today I want to express thankfulness for the dads in my life. Just as we moms are often under-appreciated, so are they. First, to my husband... Thank you for your faithfulness, your passion, the fun and laughter you bring to our home, the commitment you have to providing for us, the diligence you put into your work. Thank you for being the primary trash man, yard maintenance and clean up crew, and for picking up the pieces and managing the household when I'm not around. Thank you for loving my family and always seeing the value/importance of being there for them. Thank you for all of the Craigslist and Facebook marketplace runs that extend your day, add in a bit of craziness and leave you running from place to place to meet up with people. Thank you for being resourceful and for working hard to make our house beautiful. Thank you for showing our children with your life what it looks like to serve others and make a difference in our community.
To my dad who now walks where anges tread and beholds the glory of the One and Only seated on the throne that is grace: thank you for teaching my construction, for being a good provider and demonstrating the good of hard work. Thank you for not running out for good when there are times that it would have seemed the easier road. Thank you for your passion in discipleship and mentoring families. Thank you for all the times you listened when I talked and gave good advice. Thank you for opening up your heart to me and becoming not just my dad but my friend. Thank you for the beds you made me, the playhouses, and the remodeling of my kitchen. Thank you for showing me what it looks like to grow in Christ, to fail but get up again, leaning hard on the grace and mercy of God.
To Jeremiah, who gazes on the Father of Light and delights in his presence, you never got to be an earthly father, through childbearing but you were a father to many - especially to your students. You were intentional in love, service and discipleship and showed the world what it looks like to lay down your life for the sake of the Kingdom and its King. You had compassion, saw needs and sought to fill them. Gave yourself with intention to your calling and made the world around you a better place.
To my brothers: Matt, thank you for your devotion to your family, for giving attention to details and doing your work with excellence. Thank you for the time and expertise you've given to others. You've become a Jack of so many trades and grown much in wisdom. Thank you for filling our lives with good music and the many sacrifices and services you have made/given to your wife in promoting the gifts God has given her as well. Thank you for the times you would run on Hatcher Pass with me at Sunrise. Thank you for the guidance you've given me on work projects. Thank you for your sense of humor.
Thanks to all the other dad's out there who have blessed me, my husband and my family. Thank you Bill for being a man of faithfulness, a gentle spirit and a generous man who love a family and children who were not your own and who has consistently loved and been there for your own son through many hard times. Thank you for being a rock of strength and intention, faithfully, quietly being there, working hard, seeking God and sharing your wisdom.
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways;
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper rev’rence, praise.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee,
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love!
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small Voice of calm.
In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word,
Rise up and follow Thee.
Story behind the hymn
Song Cathedral style
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