Living in the Now: Mom's Heart, Part 3

Celebrating motherhood, I'm excited to share some perspective from my own mom.  She is a super hero rock star in her own right, and gave me the best mother's day gift this year by compiling a few stories and advice. Read more about her background here. Part 3 is my favorite, uniting our sisterhood of women. Her real life experience blesses me, and I hope encourages you.  I'll let her tell you the story herself:

As I age, I realize how important it is to be in community with other women, walk alongside each other, bear each other’s burdens, share the joys in the ebb and flow of life. I have had the amazing opportunity to have friends that are willing to be transparent with  me, to allow who I am to be accepted, and to walk together still. We are refined and strengthened by our struggles, and our trials. Our laughter and joys are multiplied when we share them (women can have so much fun together!).

I encourage women to be real with each other, to get together and work together, to love each other’s children, to serve each other, talk about what we are learning, to encourage each other in the challenges, help to provide needs. There is a richness in working together. We need to encourage each other not to be tempted to pretend we are someone we aren’t.  

Book Review: The Bishop of Rwanda

Buy on B&N $0.99

Easier not to read, but if you can summon the courage, the truth will gobsmack you right where you stand.  In 1994, at least 1,117,000 innocent Rwandans were murdered by their neighbors.  This account journeys the severe struggles of suffering, forgiveness, reconciliation, and the true heart of God.  Anglican Bishop John Rucyahana introduces, "It is my intention to show you this miracle--the miracle of God in Rwanda." 

This account has transformed my heart, finding the God Who is there (Rwanda) is the God Who is now here.  His heart towards those He loves is the same: a passionate Father, desiring truth, Giver of life, and Author of redemption.  

Bishop John's account begins with historical background, an overview of the events surrounding 1994, and centers strongly on reconciliation efforts.  His work was bestowed with the 2009 William Wilberforce Award.

This balance of perspective grants sharp clarity in your walk with God. 

"Rwanda as a nation sought God because it was desperate," Bishop John concludes, "and God answered because He is a loving God.  That is what is behind our healing and the power of our reconciliation, and it is available to the entire world.  The God who is healing and blessing Rwanda wants to heal and bless the entire world if it will but call upon Him."

"I fell in love with this country," Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, reflects on his numerous journeys to Rwanda, "I prayed, 'Lord, help me find out what You are blessing and help me get in on it.'  I think God is blessing Rwanda."

Follow this journey, and your mind and heart and soul will never be the same.

Living in the Now: Path of Forgiveness

The longer I live (and I'm really not that old), the more I realize that forgiveness is not a simple journey.  More often than not, it is generally a choice to forgive an oblivious offender.  If confronted, they might be clueless.  Awkward.  They also might be offended, for in forgiving, you suggest their sin.  Carelessly, I've often become the arrogant "hero" by offering my "gift" of grace.  Being together, being with me, is tough.

The rare picture of forgiveness, when a friend comes to me and asks forgiveness (usually my husband, the most humble person I know), is the exception to the rule.  Rare indeed. 

Thus, typically the Spirit convicts and I finally realize my bitterness that destroys.  Journeying on the path of forgiveness, I step toward loving that often unaware offender with selfless, undeserved love.  Unnatural, the pain in laying down my life is redeemed in new life, one step at a time.  The commonness of this pattern does not make the journey of death to self, undeserved grace toward my brother, any lighter.  Grieving.

Wait. 

Does this reflect my relationship with God?  In the deepest place of my heart, what do I really think about undeserved grace? Do I carry this attitude that my offense against Him is small?  How many times have I not followed the Spirit's promptings in conviction?  That I might not even ask for forgiveness, might not even desire reconciliation? The gall.

St. Francis suggests that extending undeserved grace is the same journeying path as receiving God's grace.  Oh God, give me the heart to travel willingly, trusting:

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.