Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Decorate Your Heart- Reconciliation


What is it about family that can strike a nerve like no one else can? They know us so well, and are so familiar with our faults and weaknesses. It's a blessing and a curse at the same time.
On Sunday, my brother and I had a little face-off. To be honest, I'm not even sure I can pinpoint exactly what started it. It was probably just an offhand comment that went awry. But, what started out innocently enough turned into angry words, closed hearts, thoughts that I don't even want to admit existed.


I felt miserable. I've gone through the past 2 days thinking over what happened, simultaneously angry at my brother and at myself. And today, two days later, I was still feeling the nudge of the Holy Spirit. I wanted to spend time in God's word, but realized that I needed to be reconciled first. How can I enter into the presence of One so holy, so gracious, when my own heart is harboring bitterness?

So, I made the call. And the words were healing, transforming, renewing. We spoke, we listened, we set down our weapons and let the reconciliation happen. The enemy may love to see us war with each other, but God's love of reconciliation is even stronger. It is amazing to see Him work in our human situations, and feel His love emanate when we obey his gentle prodding.

Sometimes, reconciliation can't happen on both sides. But I'm determined to be at peace with others as much as possible. I want my home to be a place where friends, family, loved ones can come and meet and truly experience God's love. Instead of holding onto bitterness and nursing grudges and letting that permeate our home, I want to be in the business of reconciliation.


Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

10 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this. What a perfect reminder of God's will for our lives. I appreciate your transparency.

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  2. Harboring such anger and bitterness can wreck your body/mind/soul all at once. Truuuuust me I know from experience! Loved this post -- and go you for calling your brother! <3 bet you feel awesome now

    xoxo

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  3. LalaLand- You're welcome! It was one of those moments when God said "Post it." So I did. =)

    Alycia- Thanks! They were from my hubby for V-Day.

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  4. Jenn- Yup, you got it girl! I do feel awesome now. =) Thanks!

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  5. It's amazing what reconciliation can do, isn't it? I finally sent a letter last week, not knowing what might come from it. Well, what came out of it was complete healing of a friendship that had been broken for THREE YEARS. And by broken I mean shattered. I've never really experienced anything quite like it before, and it's a really beautiful thing. Thanks for sharing your story. It's inspiring.

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  6. Wow, Cindy! That is so amazing. Thanks for sharing that. It's so clear that God can work in every single situation, from a simple misunderstanding to even the greatest of rifts. Thanks again for giving some insight, it's really encouraging to hear that!

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