This week we wanted to deviate a bit from our normal PeaceMeal routine in order to share a testimony with you from Becky, who recently attended some training in peacemaking:
Due to long-time alcoholism in our family, relationships have been strained for 25 years. I've tried to keep communication open, but the strains have remained. After your weekend teaching, however, I decided to visit my mother immediately. What the Lord did is truly a miracle!
There was a sense of urgency, knowing I wasn't going to be there long. While sitting with my ailing 86-year-old mother, I was able to acknowledge my awareness of relationship strain for many years, and to ask her to tell me what she sees as my contribution to it so that I might make it right.
After her shock subsided, she proceeded to tell me! In the past she railed at me for any number of things and didn't allow dialogue, resulting in my being hurt and learning to clam up. So I'd learned to keep it superficial and not "rock the boat." This time, however, after I asked the question, her reply was so different. She included specifics (almost a life-time's worth!) but we were able to discuss them, including some for which I was responsible and able to ask her forgiveness.
But it didn't stop there. Throughout that day and the next, she asked questions: "What is the gospel?" "What will happen when I die?" "What is grace?" "I've made so many mistakes, how can you be sure you'll be in heaven?" When my brother arrived at 7am Wednesday to take me to the airport, he found my mom and me crying together as she told me she didn't want me to leave. I've never heard her say that before! She's called twice in the 12 days since I've been home, after not calling me once in the previous several years! I had a similar conversation with my brother on the way to the airport, and he and I were also reconciled. What a gracious God we have!
Food for Thought
Do you have any relationships like Becky's? We hope you will be inspired by Becky’s example, especially during the holiday season when you may bump into relatives or old friends who may be estranged from both you and God. Instead of pretending everything’s OK, why not admit that something is not right between you, and some of it is your fault.
As you humble yourself, listen to their concerns, and confess your past wrongs, the Lord may soften others’ hearts as he did Becky’s mother and brother, and open the way for you to share what Christmas is really about … God reconciling people to each other and to himself through his dearly loved Son.
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