Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. // Matthew 5:23-24
Buzz, buzz
I glanced at my texts and noticed I had received a quick and cryptic message from a loved one.
Keep your eye out for a letter in the mail. :)
These days, my mailbox is usually stuffed with catalogs, credit card applications, and coupons for meal delivery services, so when I receive real snail mail, I do get excited.
But this was an unexpected letter. Addressed to me in simple script with a familiar return address, I opened the envelope one afternoon. Instead of a silly greeting card or a few photos of recent adventures, it was a handwritten letter on simple college ruled paper ripped from a notebook.
It was an “amends” letter. Familiar with the 12-Step program, I recognized this as one of the steps in the program. Making amends.
My heart had made peace with the events of previous years. I recognized and had already begun to process the pain and trauma that had arisen from being close with an alcoholic. But my heart was filled with love and forgiveness already as I had striven to follow Christ’s call to be reconciled with others. Yes, boundaries had to be set and often reminders needed to be given, but I had already forgiven.
Even so, there was something profoundly moving and healing about receiving this letter. It spelled out instances of hurt, and, rather than make excuses, it was filled with contrition and love. It was penned with maturity, recognition, and reconciliation.
Receiving this gift of amends made a difference. Although I had already made a decision to move forward in forgiveness and love, I felt honored and recognized with this active gift of amends.
Today, how might you reach out to someone and offer that gift of healing amends?
Lord, may we honor those we’ve injured by making amends. May we honor YOU by reconciling with our brothers and sisters as the Gospel teaches us.
Follow Christ’s call to be reconciled. // @substance_soulClick to tweet
Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife and mom to four little ones and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group and does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings. She was a contributing author to All She Had. and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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