Linda Burch

Center yourself on today’s reflection by lighting a candle and reciting this breath prayer:
Inhale – Cleanse our hearts, Lord, by your Spirit
Exhale – that we might praise your holy name.

Colossians 3: 12-15 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Reflection:
Confusion. Disappointment. Sadness. Hurt. Anger. Blame—so much blame. Those emotions churned inside me for weeks. Tears lurked just below the surface, ready to spill at any moment. I was an emotional mess over a relationship that needed to end.

During this time, I discovered Catherine Marshall’s, Adventures in Prayer. This little book, published in 1975, is a compilation of nine articles on prayer by Marshall originally published in Guideposts magazine. Reading Chapter Seven:The Prayer of Joyous Blessing, caused me to look at the relationship with new eyes. It had not turned out as I had hoped, but we had been good for each other in many ways. I decided to stop collecting grievances and begin to pray for blessings for __________. I asked God to bless our hearts.

He left the country to work overseas for a year. My continued prayers of blessings for him freed me to forgive us both. An unexpected visit from him a year later allowed us to part as caring friends. After four decades, I remain very thankful for the lessons learned from that experience.

For the past forty years, journaling and blessing prayers have become my go-to methods for dealing with “my enemies.” Writing helps me gain perspective, and prayer reminds me God wants good things for all His children.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul reminds us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. He instructs us to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. That is a tall order. I don’t know about you, but I’m often sure I deserve forgiveness more than those rude, rough, haughty, arrogant people. Then I hear God say, “Wrong, my child!  Step back. Slow down. Watch your words. Show mercy. Extend grace.  Spread love. Judgment is mine. Let me bless your heart. Your job is to forgive and be thankful.”

Prayer:
O Lord, during the season of Lent, keep us ever mindful of the great sacrifice You made on our behalf. Help us keep our words gentle, our actions kind, and our hearts willing to bear with one another in unity and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.