Reconciliation

In the blink of an eye everything can change.

Forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never have that chance again.

The strength behind true reconciliation comes through the acts of apologizing and forgiving. The need for an apology and forgiveness may involve one or both parties. The parties involved must recognize their own part in the event, the weakness within themselves that caused the estrangement.  They must desire reconciliation enough to put ego aside and move forward toward reconciliation

Reconciliation begins with a genuine apology.  Sometimes the words “I'm sorry” aren't enough to gain forgiveness. Saying “I'm sorry” can be a cover-up for the meaning behind the words. These words are sometimes spoken to satisfy expectations when there is no real regret for actually doing whatever caused hurt to the other person. There is no concern for the other person. There is no acknowledgement that the relationship has been compromised and no desire to be reconciled. The inclusion of the wrongdoing lends credibility to these words by recognizing what happened - “I'm sorry for _______, please forgive me.” - leaving out any excuses.

Reconciliation occurs with genuine forgiveness and a heart-felt desire to restore the relationship. The deeper the relationship, the greater the hurt, the greater the feeling of lost trust and the longer it may take to reconcile. Grudge holding, a desire to get even cannot be a part in reconciliation. Retaliation involves ego and will do nothing but prolong reconciliation if not destroy any opportunity for it.

A good example of what the Bible has to say about reconcilation is found in Ephesians where Paul writes “ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgiving just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”