Seasoning of Swahili

Today was my students' last day of school before Christmas.  They were beside themselves with excitement which overflowed into extra hugs for their teacher. :)  They are a sweet group and I have really enjoyed getting to know each child over the past two months. 

After they left, we had a staff luncheon.  A soup buffet always gets my vote this time of year...but during the lunch something profound happened.  

My school has an after school childcare program for children to attend if their parents work.  Today the children in this program were going to a nursing home to sing carols so they came to our luncheon to serenade us.  After a few songs, 4 siblings came to the front and started singing a carol that was very clearly not in English.  I thought it sounded a lot like Swahili.  Once they said, "Mungu" (God), and "Nzuri sana"  (Very fine),  I knew I was hearing Swahili.  The tears were welling up, but I didn't let them fall.  God knows, he sees.  In America, I have heard German carols, French carols, Spanish carols, Dutch carols, etc.  But I have never heard a Swahili carol (outside of Tanzania) until today.  No one in the room ever made the connection that I might recognize it and I had no idea there were children at my school that speak Swahili.  I look forward to seeking them out after Christmas break.

Yesterday I received a Rafiki Christmas card through my email.  I share it with you in honor of all God's beloved celebrating the birth of Jesus with you.

peace

I love it when a new worship song reaches the depths of me.  Last week I heard one that did just that, and in light of a fall spent studying Revelation I want to share it with you:

Another song stirring my heart this past week is  "Peace on Earth" by Casting Crowns:

 

I heard it twice during my commute one day.  

My initial thoughts were regarding peace between                nations.  

      I thought about countries in Africa...the Middle East...North Korea, and other nations that live without peace.  Then I realized, maybe in America we aren't necessarily at war in our country, but we still lack peace.

The longer I thought about it, I thought peace on a smaller scale, not just between nations, but among                    people.            friendships, spouses, friendships, coworkers...

Then I thought about peace                      within.  

Peace within is something we can have.  Peace transcends circumstances.  Jesus is the source of peace and he offers it to us, but we continually must make a decision to stop and choose it.  It doesn't come through gift giving or getting.  It doesn't come from getting the best deals while shopping.  It comes from setting time aside to worship a Savior who came to save us.  Consciously take time to rest in God's peace.  Realize that he is Sovereign over all and loves us too much to leave us the same. 
When you choose Jesus , the peace you have within, goes out to people and then to nations.