Article August 13, 2012 Issue

Peacemaking in my neighborhood

Martha Olson

“Blessed are the peacemakers”   (Matthew 5:9). Who would have thought I’d have a peacemaking job at a recent homeowners association meeting. 

Things had been heating up for weeks. The management company president and a board member were at each other’s throats—name calling, accusations, you name it. This trickled down to all the people in our little community.

I generally keep a very low profile when it comes to things of this nature. The night of our big meeting I didn’t plan on attending. In fact, all day I had been suffering with a nagging headache and just did not feel well. My husband planned on going alone. But I found myself in the car with him heading to the community clubhouse, praying the whole way.