Lay My Weapons Down

What does it mean to you to Lay Your Weapons Down?  

LaVar and I joke about it now, but our first argument in our marriage was over Q-tips! I would use only one end for make-up and leave them on the counter… I know… why? 😅 One day he brought it to my attention and instead of admitting it was wasteful, I got on the defense and started my counter offense.

It’s so embarrassing when I think about it now, but the reality was that there were going to be A LOT of things in our marriage that would require a greater desire to love than to be right. 

Sometimes it’s been hard for me to recognize the  point where I need to lay down my weapons, both defense and offense, and choose love.  Most of the things I think I’m right about have more to do with perspective than truth. I’m still learning that the high road is most often giving the benefit of the doubt and working to restore the love. Because what is a relationship without love?

This song “Lay My Weapons Down”, is close to my heart. I was feeling that weight in a hard relationship when I wrote this song. As the words came, I felt the lift of surrendering to Christ and letting Him carry that burden. I continue to need to come daily to Christ to help me lay my weapons down and be a little more like Him.

There was a powerful message from a recent church conference about the need to be a peacemaker:

“The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.

“My dear brothers and sisters, how we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters.  Contention drives away the Spirit—every time. Contention reinforces the false notion that confrontation is the way to resolve differences; but it never is. Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”

What if our words were undiluted? What if our love was always felt? What if we spoke heart to heart, leaving our pride on the shelf? What if we listened without anger, instead of darkness bringing light? What if we laid our weapons down and were a little more like Christ?

I pray for you. I pray for peace. I pray we can surrender to Christ and receive His help in laying our weapons down. 🤍

You Are Loved,

Kimberly

Matthew 5:43-45