Peace IS Possible!!

I am bowled over, yet again, by God’s merciful and abiding grace.

Today I spoke with a dear friend who just months ago felt much (much!) more like an enemy. We had experienced a horribly painful breakdown in our relationship and things got so bad that we couldn’t even stand to speak with one another directly. I didn’t want to be around her and I know that she didn’t want to be around me either.

But now? By God’s miraculous grace, I can honestly say that hearing her voice is a delight. If I had a Friday night and she was free, I would love to spend time with her, learn about what is happening in her ministry and family, share my struggles and joys … just be with her.

How is it possible? How can a relationship so devoid of trust become whole, sound, safe again? Forgiveness.

The only hope we had for tearing down the wall (huge wall!) between us, was to remember how much we are forgiven in Jesus Christ … and from that place of eternal mercy, trust in the Lord to give us the grace to repent of our sins, confess our sins and offenses to one another, and forgive one another.

Not because we deserved it.
Not because we would be perfect friends in the future.

But simply because God’s commands forgiveness. He calls His children to forgive one another just as He forgives His children. He models forgiveness. And He enables forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a miracle. We simply cannot forgive in our own strength. But He gives us more grace. His grace is sufficient! He is trustworthy. And He never calls us to do something that He does not likewise enable us to do.

Thank you, friend, for forgiving me.
Thank You, Lord, for forgiving me … and for giving my friend the grace to forgive me too.

Radical forgiveness! Reconciled relationship! Jesus really is alive.