Healing & Reconciliation

to begin, sorry for the lack of updates.

This morning our church gathered together for a service unlike any I've been a part of. Our church's recent past is riddled with hard and bitter feelings. The details are insignificant, but the gist of it was that it dealt with the circumstances of the departure of our previous Sr. Pastor. Today, that pastor returned as well as the pastor who served Rosewood before him, some 10 - 15 odd years ago. The service was a healing and reconciliation service. Intended to allow us to come together as a family of Christ and forgive any past hurts in order to come together in unity.

The service did not just focus on that one past hurt. Rather it focused on every hurt. Every wrong, Every. At least every one that we were willing to give a face to. A name to. Every wrong that each individual was willing to look into their own life and recognize. To come before and overcome. I'm sure that there are still many, many hurts and so much bitterness that was not faced. That slid under the surface and hid in the shadows. But a huge weight as been lifted. If you were there, it's inarguable.

I've been dealing with a personal struggle of reconciliation for a while now. Fighting it. Not allowing myself to fall to the supposed "weakness" of facing it. It wasn't my wrong to face. I was the wronged and thus I deserved the effort put towards me. Not the other way. Or so I thought. Until this service was announced a month ago. Until I was continually prodded emotionally. Don't fight God's leading. For one if he really wants it to happen who are we to stop it? and if we somehow manage to ignore his leading, then we are the ones at loss.

I spoke to someone I've not spoken to for months out of bitterness and anger. How glad I am that that first step has been taken.