Be Reconciled

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26

Be Reconciled

Heart of the ground
surrounded by shame
so hurt that I hurt another
stumbling into the sanctuary
we are challenged to leave.

Heart in hand laying the gift
the altar call was a sending
a reaching out to my abuser
arresting the anger
giving it all to God.

Survival skills build walls
shutting out forgiveness and love
hiding from warm demanding arms
pushing off from a family
who might bring me to tears.

We keep secrets about failures
burying the taint and the sorrow
never expecting change
everything falls down
and we cry for ourselves.

God invites us welcome home
and sends us out to the weary
the world of woe and despair
to carry love as we forgive
and draws us back to the table.