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."

Thoughts for a Friday

Do you ever have days when you burst into tears for no apparent reason?

I’ve had a few of those this week. It hasn’t been a “bad” week, per se, but for some reason my emotions just decided to have a little fun. My poor husband probably feels like he’s playing a game of Russian Roulette every time he tries to enter into conversation with me.

Him- “Honey, how are you today?”

Me- “And what do you mean by THAT?!”

Ok. So it’s not really that bad, but you get the point. But this morning, I am feeling like I have a better grip on reality. And I’m realizing how wonderful it is that we don’t have a hormonal God.

We don’t have to be afraid to approach Him, tentatively placing our requests at His feet and wondering if we will get reassurance or just a bop on the head.

We can approach Him, day in and day out, with everything and anything and know that His response will always come out of the pure Holiness of His being. The same God who heard the prayers of King David hears the cries of my fickle heart. And He always responds in love.


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
(James 1:17 NIV)

on the fringe of fellowship

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

When you ask God to work in your heart, you can bet that He will follow through. I think He loves to poke at my peaceful existence and gently nudge me closer to Holiness. Just when I start to feel comfortable, that’s when He reminds me of all I have to learn.

Most recently, I prayed that God would help Josh and I to really connect with our church family. To be an integral part of the church’s ministry mechanism, instead of just lingering on the fringe, darting between the gears.

I think God smiled when I asked that. I was unaware of the impending flood at the time, but looking back I must have sensed that those words did not fall on deaf ears. Instead, they set into motion one revelation after another, something like a domino effect.

I said, God, why do I feel like I’m being neglected? I walk into church and no one even talks to me! Even though I’ve been here for 9 years, I feel like I hardly know anyone anymore.

God asked, Why don’t you talk to them? I sheepishly twiddled my fingers and waited for the words to come, the excuses that would numb the twinge of regret. But all of my words felt dry and useless at the back of my tongue.

With one question, God turned the issue around. I began realizing that the lack of community wasn’t some evil plot against me, but rather it was partly due to my own attitude. Every Sunday, for about 2 months now, God has been gently pointing out people that I need to talk to. I’ve realized that I have been holding grudges, some big and some small, that have been affecting relationships with my Christian family. And slowly, as Christ whispers in my ear, I am seeking restoration.

It’s not easy. In fact, sometimes I balk at what He asks of me. Don’t you remember what that person said? Don’t you remember what they did? But it’s not about their heart. It’s about my heart. And so I go, trudging as faithfully as I can, on a mission of reconciliation. Because community, fellowship, loving just the way Christ does is not a natural occurance. It is one that comes through trial, through testing and through the turning of our hearts.

How is God working in your heart? In the midst of celebrating Christ’s most significant act of love, we have an opportunity to refresh our understanding of His sacrifice, and examine our own hearts as we draw closer to Him.

just joyful

Today I met a dear friend of mine for lunch at one of my favorite places- Panera Bread.

We had fun chatting and catching up, and it was especially fun because she and her new hubby got married just a couple of weeks before we did last summer. As we talked, I could see the joy that lit up her eyes.

I knew it immediately, because it's the same joy I see in my own eyes every day.

I have never felt more at peace, more grounded and rooted in joy in my entire life. It's like God has opened the floodgates of Heaven and just poured out blessing after blessing. My Dad wrote an email to me a week before my wedding that completely summed it up for me.

He said, "It's so much blessing, it's like trying to drink from a fire hose!"

Is my life perfect? No, most definitely not. I could rattle off a list of things that I am unhappy or concerned about now. But now is not the time for that.

Because right now, I'm just joyful.




From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

John 1:16 (NIV)

words that aren't my own

Isaiah 42:5-7

This is what God the Lord says-
He who created the heavens and
stretched them out,
who spread the earth and all that
comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it;
I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the gentiles,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to free the captive from prison,
and to release from the dungeon
those who sit in darkness.