Two Broken Pieces
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Insight
Having a birthday in late November, I have a love-hate relationship with decorating for Christmas. We wait until after November 28th to put up our decorations, and we take them down by January 1st to start the new year with a clean and organized house. Each year, we choose a tree, make cookies, and decorate the home together. We take our time and make memories.
The same cannot be said for taking down the decorations. It's an "all hands on deck" type of event. We are so exhausted from the holidays that there are times when we have haphazardly packed up our decorations. It's fine in January, but come December we regret our haste. Frosty is missing his corncob pipe. Rudolph's nose is not so bright… or nowhere to be found. Our carelessness caused damage.
The same brokenness can take place in our relationships if we don't slow down and appreciate them. When there is tension in our relationships, it's very easy for us to place the blame on someone else's shoulders. We begin to craft a story about the other person. The more we personalize and make ourselves the victim in our account, the more likely we don't see the whole picture. There are more than two sides to every story. We have our side, the other person's side, and then the truth. This is why we must assault our own story to see where we are off base.
Yet, we are hesitant to consider what role we might have played in that broken relationship. Maybe we weren't careful with our words. Perhaps our actions were done without thinking. We could have allowed our agenda, our wants and our needs to prioritize anyone else's.
A flourishing relationship requires two people to be fully engaged and own their part. In those disconnected relationships, don't allow your pride, anger, fear, or insecurity to prevent you from pursuing restoration. Forgiveness is the glue that can bind two broken pieces back together.
Reflection
Where does relational discord exist in your life? What created this tension?
What part of the conflict do you need to own in these broken relationships? How have your words, actions or even indifference allowed the divide to grow?
What would it look to lay down your pride, "go first" and ask for forgiveness?
Prayer
God, when I've been hurt, I want to be the judge, jury, and jailor. I am quick to point out why the other person is at fault. Yet, when my words or actions have caused pain, I'm ready to ignore, justify, or excuse away my behavior. Today, I want to own up to my part. There are broken relationships in my life because of the poor choices I have made. May I put my pride aside and be vulnerable enough to ask for forgiveness. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
