Bridges of Forgiveness

I have had so many things on my mind lately. I haven’t taken too much time to blog thoughts but I think I may start. This is helpful for me to think and maybe it will give you interesting food for thought, too. This past Sunday was Easter. Our church had a non-traditional Easter service. The title of the service was “The Bridge.” The essence of the message was about building a bridge to other people, much as God built the most amazing bridge to people with the death and resurrection of Christ. There was a bridge on the stage for people to cross as symbolism of their submission and acceptance of God’s bridge and becoming a bridge to others. In light of Easter and the message, I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness. What an amazing gift! As humans it is beyond our natural capacity to forgive fully. We have the ideal example of it in Christ—how to love and forgive beyond measure. I have friends and family locked in the pain of hurt and unforgiveness. It is such a difficult place to be. I struggle with how to help them cope sometimes. It boils down to a decision to turn the pain over. At some point, you have to forgive and move on. Moving on without reconciliation is not forgiveness at all. If you have peace with a situation but no reconciliation with a person where there was a conflict, it isn’t true peace. There is peace in your heart but it is a self-induced, prideful peace. It does not touch the love of Christ. To move on, you have to forgive another person and you have to forgive yourself. To forgive the person you have to make peace with them. To forgive you have to reach out to the other person and build a bridge of peace. It doesn’t mean that a relationship will be as it was before. I know that Christ’s example suggests that it will be even better but I also know that our humanity makes that exceedingly difficult. If a person thinks they have forgiven another but the relationship is gone, there is no forgiveness. There is only acceptance of a conflict or a bad situation. Acceptance is not forgiveness. Acceptance does not offer anyone peace. You also have to forgive yourself. I think this is important because a conflict takes two people. I am always reminding my boys that you cannot fight or argue by yourself. First you have to own up to the struggle and weakness in your own life. It is humbling. As you do that you are given the opportunity to reach out to a greater power—the power of God. Only then can you experience the gifts from God, including true forgiveness, the ability to forgive and have peace.
There have been times in my life when I was approached by another person asking for reconciliation when I did not know a disconnect existed. Those times have been very surprising and humbling to me. I do not always know how I come across to others. I am not always aware of my selfish nature. It is humbling to recognize my selfish nature. We all have a selfish nature. The question is do I, do we, have a willingness to submit to God, relinquish control, and admit our need. Can we admit that we are just as needy as anyone who has ever offended us? Can we admit that we are just as needy as that person with different values? Can we realize that we are just as loved by God? God sees us all the same—he died for us all. We should submit to God and ask for him to help us reach out to others. Our lives should radiate God’s love and we should live in harmony with others (especially our families and fellow believers in God). Of course, really, we are called to live at peace-with forgiveness and love in our hearts-with everyone. [Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.]

Goodnight…oh, and Daddy, I asked Jesus into my heart tonight.

“Goodnight…oh, and Daddy, I asked Jesus into my heart tonight.”
Those were Jonathan’s words to Seth right before bed last night. What wonderful words to hear! I was sitting outside the boys’ room at the computer so I was privy to those sweet words. Of course, Seth didn’t just stay, “Okay, goodnight!” Seth and Jonathan came out of the room (which surprisingly didn’t bother David at all) and they had a nice talk and prayed.
As it turns out, Jonathan said that he had a chance to pray at Awana’s at church. He said that his teacher talked to them about asking God to forgive them for the things they did wrong and about asking Jesus to be in his heart. Then Jonathan said, so I asked him to be in my heart again. Again? Jonathan explained that this wasn’t the first time he asked Jesus in his heart. He said that a couple of weeks ago he did it in his room. When asked where Momma and Daddy were he said, “You were downstairs.” Wow- what an affirmation of it being real! After talking a bit Jonathan was very concerned that he had messed up somehow, saying, “I didn’t know you only had to ask him in your heart once.” He has the precious heart of a faithful child! It was the sweetest moment. I am so thankful he believes in Jesus. Seth and I couldn’t stop talking about it and about our responsibility to help him grow and mature in his faith and trust in Christ.
If you see Jonathan, be sure to tell him how happy you are about Jesus being in his heart! (I tried to explain that he is a Christian but I am not sure he was staying with me on that.)

"I love you, too, Honey."

I am so thankful that I was able to visit my grandmother 3 weeks ago. She passed away this morning. She suffered from Alzheimer’s, which ultimately took her life. She lived a long beautiful life, living to the age of 89. She had this sweet spirit. As long as I can remember, I loved hearing her voice because of the kindness in her voice. A few weeks ago, I decided to travel to Tennessee to visit her. I had been told her death was imminent. As it turned out, by the time I got there, she was having some good days. I had precious moments with her. Some of the time, she even recognized me and called me by name. I was able to tell her I loved her numerous times in the 3 days I visited with her. When she could respond, she always told me she loved me, too. Several times, including before I left, she said, “I love you, too, honey.” I can still hear her saying that to me and it warms my heart.
I was already spending time this week thinking about life and how the days are precious. A friend, Milo, passed away last week and I attended his service on Saturday. Though I didn’t know him well, he touched my life. I never saw him when he wasn’t smiling. He had a servant’s heart. Without knowing specifics, you just knew he was the kind of man that did everything he could for other people. He was retired. He served, with his wife, loving the kids in our MOPS (mother’s of preschoolers) program. His memorial service was enjoyable. That seems strange, perhaps. We shed tears but we also celebrated a life lived fully and full of God’s love.
This morning as I sat grieving and thinking about how various family members were handling my grandmother’s loss. I prayed. I was then reminded of a song that my friend, Rebecca (Milo’s daughter-in-law) sang at his memorial service. I sang it just quietly out loud to myself. “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. Look Full in His Wonderful Face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace.”
What a blessing to think that my grandmother, Anne, and Milo are looking at the fullness of Christ’s glory and grace. I cannot imagine the splendor. I do not know if my granddaddy greeted my grandmother. I have images of their sweet reunion and a beautiful praise service. I cannot grasp or imagine what heaven could be like. I do know that they are happy.
I will miss my grandmother. In so many ways she has been gone for a while now. I am comforted to know she is now happy. The happiness in heaven has to be beyond our greatest joy here on earth.
I keep thinking about heaven today. I keep thinking about living a full life that is composed of love for others. These lives have blessed me. I will live and love more because of them.

Flying High

I have some family news. I just got this news and I am so excited about it, I thought I would share. My brother-in-law, John, applied for and interviewed for an incredible job within the Air Force. He found out recently that he got the job. His next Air Force assignment will be at Andrews AFB, MD flying Gulfstreams for the First Lady, the Vice President of the US, and other high ranking government officials (cabinet members, etc). I don't really know too much about prestige in the Air Force. However, I do know that I am so impressed! Isn't that incredible?!

For those of you interested, here's a couple links about the Air Force planes he will be flying:

C-20
C-37A