One of my dearest friends today is my ex-husband.
I don’t have words to describe the pain I’ve felt in the awareness of my faults that led to our separation but I can tell you what Jesus asked me to do next.
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24
Reconciliation doesn’t mean you rush into the room, yell, “I’m sorry!” and run away… it means a relationship.
I took responsibility for ripping us apart and acknowledged the pain I put him in. I asked for forgiveness in hopes that his hurting heart could begin to heal.
He and I don’t have children together. We don’t work together nor do we live in the same town. BUT, reconciliation means every relationship!
As believers, we don’t realize how much the enemy plays a part in setting up roadblocks to reconciliation, in hopes that we will continue living a life of excuses, instead of one that radiates love and forgives everyone, as He forgave us.
What does this look like for you? Who do you need to seek out and help in the healing process? Not because you have to, but because God wants you to. Where does your heart need to reconcile?
Father God, you see our hearts and know the truths we’ve been hiding from. Those we’ve been running from. Reveal the relationships that need reconciling in our lives. Soften our spirit to accept what you’ve asked us to do. Give us strength to walk through the pain and accept responsibility with no more excuses. I ask this in the name of love, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amen Trisha. I haven’t always had success feeling like I’ve been forgiven by those from my past I’ve tried to make amends with. That being said, the peace I found just trying to reconcile with people was worth it.
We all need forgiveness for things in our lives. The difficult part, I feel, is not making excuses or bringing up someone else’s responsibility in the matter. Forgiveness and trust took time to develop between us. It didn’t happen the first I approached my ex husband and I don’t blame him. Boundaries need to be there. I’m so thankful for the grace I’ve been given today. He has a wonderful heart. Just to be fair, I’ve also had relationships that didn’t end this way. But I felt it necessary to share this story for the glory of God.
That’s great to hear!
That’s great to hear!