Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. James 3: 13-18

Yesterday God spoke to me as I was sitting in church listening to these words from the book of James. I believe that it’s important to pay attention when God has something to say – especially when God is speaking directly to you.

It’s a busy time of year for all of us. School is starting; programs at church are being kicked off. My daughter is filling out college applications and planning campus tours. And then, forgive me for being a broken record, but, the dogs… A puppy, Rosie, and her five year old sister, Penny. Two dogs in the house create some stress. I know that things will get better, probably very soon, but my husband tells me that I’ve been unusually crabby lately.

So this week, God had a message for me. “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.”

God has given us many gifts, and one of those gifts, wisdom, actually does work in us if we pay attention and let it work. With wisdom from above, we can be peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy.

Yesterday after church I was exhausted. I’d spent Saturday night with the confirmation kids at Green Lake bible camp, and by 6 am Sunday morning, I was on the road from Spicer so I could be back to Orono in time for 9 am worship. The first 10:10 was kicking off – subject, Lutheran Basics, teacher, me. After visiting with a few people following 10:45 worship and stopping for a quick errand, I arrived home later than expected, famished, and discovered that I missed lunch. A perfect storm – there could have been harsh words exchanged that would have ruined a peaceful afternoon.

Thank you, God, for giving me what I needed yesterday, for your wisdom, for your Holy Spirit working in my life. Thank you for reminding me that I can be peaceable, gentle. It is ok to be the one to yield.

After taking a deep breath, I greeted my family with a cheerful hello, ate some leftovers, and, along with the dogs, took a much needed and wonderfully refreshing nap. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. Amen.