Update on Diplomacy

Just wanted to give you all a quick update on our weekly Diplomacy sessions, which is what I've taken to calling the half hour we spend on Tuesdays to work slowly through the discussion-based book The Young Peacemaker. 

We've now talked about ...

• How conflict can be a slippery slope 
• "Peace-faking" options such as denying there's a problem, blaming others for the problem, or running away from the problem.
• "Peace-breaking" choices such as put-downs, gossip (talking to others about the problem instead of addressing it with the party we've offended or been offended by), or fighting.
• "Peace-making" choices, like choosing to let the offense go because it's not that important, or working it out (with an honest conversation over deeper issues, or with alternatives like compromise or rock/paper/scissors for problems like who sits in the front seat or where the family will stop for breakfast tacos!). If we want to have the conversation but we feel scared or stumped, we can ask for help (coaching, mediation, or arbitration).
• How God is with us in difficult things like conflicts with other people (as He was with Daniel when he had to respectfully ask to be served vegetables rather than the food from King Nebuchadnezzar's table).
• The good things that can come of walking through conflict and learning to handle it wisely. 

As usual, the children have all kinds of insights. And of course, we have opportunities to "walk the walk" all week long, as I imagine you do at home! Please pray for us as we continue on this journey and learn to climb off of the "slippery slope" -- or walk around it all together!