Most people knew and can recite Jesus' instructional prayer as He taught followers on Mount Sinai and accept this prayer as The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). However, we fall short if we do not continue reading: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15).
The second part of October 2009 became a time of anticipation, realization and reconciliation. My son is a Marine who returned from his deployment from Iraq, however, as the countdown to his return was down to one day I received a call I had been anticipating in fear for years: my dear sister who I can say I have enjoyed the agape love, espoused by Jesus, had died. So this was a homecoming for both my son and my sister where joy was easy for one and required remembrance for the other.
As I waited for my son to return I had a full day to grieve for my sister and to discuss my good and bad memories of our shared lives. In the bad moments I felt anger toward individuals who I believed caused my sister hurt and harm. Meanwhile, the evening that my son returned seemed to me to be the first coldest day this year. The wind was blowing and the rain came down with a rage as we stood outside underneath temporary tents that barely provided shelter for the rain that traveled sideways with the wind.
So when I spoke with someone who was unable to reconcile themselves with my sister I began to wonder who I was to hold on to my unreconciling feelings toward others. These feelings had been sealed with a private pledge to hold onto my anger aimed toward my own gallery.
But God...
But God...with His infinite wisdom, grace and mercy called to the storm and said, "Peace be still." (Mark 4:39b) And just at God's Word "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm" (Mark 4:39c) it seemed as though the storm stopped as soon as I saw my son's boots hit the asphalt. I don't know whether it stopped raining or if it was still cold. I know that I felt a great calm as God returned my son safely home once again.
Then how to deal with people I might see at my sister's funeral? I was so gripped with anger that I chose the very first opportunity to stay home and send flowers. But God has His way and when He decides - we must do what He says. This is my testimony that my attempt to avoid the test that God set for me failed because God set me up for a victory. When given the opportunity I met adversity with open arms and God-given forgiveness - not because of me, or anything that I thought or did, but because of God. The gift that God gave was an answer to my prayers for a joyful heart as He set within me a great calm.
Meanwhile, our world continues to spin out of control with war, deceit, hunger, despair. Our young men and women are jaded and toughened to hide their fears, ignorance and pains. But again, I remember a time of my youth much like this and then God...
If we who believe recommit ourselves to obedience, reeducate ourselves to God's requirements and reaffirm our desires to reconcile ourselves to God we will be able to model how to return to a time of prosperity with confidence in our belief in God. Only then will be able to approach one another with forgiveness, reconciliation and love required by God.
Reverend Marcia Bowman, MBA, D-Div