New Year: Restore Relationships

Chuckle: At breakfast, the waitress told us the "Seniors' Special" was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $1.99. "Sounds good," my wife said. "But I don't want the eggs." The waitress replied, "Then I'll have to charge you $2.49 because then you're ordering a la carte." "You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?" My wife asked incredulously. Then, after a moment, she said, "OK, I'll take the senior special." "How do you want your eggs?" "Raw and in the shell," my wife replied. She took the two eggs home. The moral: Don't mess with seniors. We've been around the block more than once!

Quote: "Most people are bothered by passages in Scripture which they cannot understand; but as for me, I always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me are those which I do understand." --Mark Twain

NEW YEAR: RESOLVE TO RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:17-18 NLT).

God wants us to check up on our personal relationships. Our Scripture passage contains His challenge. He depends on you to do all you can to restore your relationships that may have gone sour. Healthy relationships are at the core of Christian living. If we love others the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive and do everything within our power to restore fractured relationships.

"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT)

Some broken relationships are the results of actions by others who may not want them restored. God recognizes that and says, “if it is possible.” But let’s be honest, often relationship problems are caused by our own actions -- something we have done. God holds us responsible for restoring relationships through forgiveness. "As far as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone." No matter who caused the rift, we should take the initiative and do everything possible to bring about reconciliation.

How many marriages are not all they could be simply because a spouse refuses to say “I was wrong; I am sorry; will you forgive me?” We need to ask forgiveness for “ harsh words and cutting remarks” that have emotionally wounded and scarred our marriage partners over the years. The same is true for our children, parents, neighbors, etc.

Make no mistake, it will be hard to do, but one of the most significant things that you can do to mark the New Year is to admit your past errors in relationships and humbly seek forgiveness from God and the one(s) you have hurt or have hurt you. “Bear with each other and forgive each other whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse