Blessed Are the Peacemakers

For many years I was a “ stringer ” for a city newspaper , writing historical pieces and human - interest stories . My editor asked one day , “ How would you like to take a crack at writing up what goes on at the county supervisory board meeting ? Since you live near the courthouse , it would save me some running . ” I agreed and quietly took notes at the meeting . Then a much - debated topic came to the floor . The county had earmarked ten thousand dollars for firefighting improvements . Each of the three firefighter departments hoped they would be the lucky department . One of the supervisors announced the board had strongly considered dividing the money into two equal parts .

The question , “ Who gets left out ? ” was answered with , “ We haven’t decided yet . ” Each group clamored to explain why it needed the money more than the others . Everyone’s reasons were valid . The arguments became loud and angry . At open - forum meetings , anyone can offer ideas . Praying silently that God would help me with my words , I stood . When the chairman recognized me , I began , “ Apparently , the only thing we agree on is that nobody wants to be left out . Why don’t we split the money three ways ? That would eliminate hurt feelings . Think of it as seed money — enough to start your projects . You can raise the extra money you need by selling the products that you already make for tourists to buy . ”

People looked at one another and nodded . The chairman smiled . “ Would you like to make that a motion ? ” My motion was affirmed unanimously , and everyone excitedly discussed their fundraising plans . I thanked God that they were willing to solve their problem peacefully .

My editor liked my report but decided not to miss future meetings and covered them himself . I accepted that God meant for me to be at the courthouse that one time and prepared to be a “ stringer ” again . But God had another plan for me . My editor assigned me to a project that lasted several months. It gave me great satisfaction to contribute to the July 4, 1976 , collector’s edition of the city newspaper commemorating the bicentennial of the United States of America . May you, as a daughter of God, be blessed as one of His peacemakers as well.

Bonnie Moyers