First Loved Us

“There can be no reconciliation where there is no open warfare. There must be a battle, a brave boisterous battle, with pennants waving and cannon roaring, before there can be peaceful treaties and enthusiastic shaking of hands.”
- Mary Elizabeth Braddon, British writer


Often times, we are in need of reconciliation. Something was said that shouldn’t have been, pride and arrogance trumped gentleness and grace, selfishness creeps in, a bad decision is made, an honest mistake ends up hurting the one that is loved most – whatever it is, I’m sure you get my point. The wrongs that have occurred sting and usually the relationship is altered in some way whether great or small. Usually, after moments like these, we want reconciliation – to have restoration and compatibility with that person again. For me, I’m the type that likes to talk about it as soon as I can and move forward – for others, they need time to think things through, but no matter which side you are on, it takes a lot of effort to be fully reconciled. People become hurt, innocence is lost, walls are put up and it isn’t easy to let go of the pain or of the disgrace one may feel. Like the quote above, reconciliation means going to battle. You have to face pain, suffering, disgrace, and hurt. You have to be brave to “go there” and lay it all on the table – and you have to be selfless about it because let’s face it – we all have to ask for forgiveness for wrongs we’ve committed. Reconciliation is a process and for a lot of people, it feels like a battle that almost seems impossible to win. If I have any encouragement in those times where reconciliation seems like a lost cause, it is from the One who never gave up on me. I may sound cheesy and that’s fine – at this point, I know what I believe and it is who I am. I’m not perfect in anyway. My selfishness creeps in all the time. I like having control over my life, and I like doing things my way. God had every right to reject me because time and time again I let go of Him when He never let go of me; instead, He gave me the greatest gift of love and reconciliation: His son. If ever I think reconciliation is impossible, I think I need to remember who first reconciled me.