Reconciliation

Being the father of four kids, there are lots of funny things that they do each day that I could write about (but you would probably be annoyed if I did that all the time).  Everyone once in a while something profound will come out of their little mouths that I have to share, and last night I heard perhaps the most profound words to ever come from the mouth of a 3 1/2 year old boy.

My only son Deacon was really wanting to get the attention of his 7 year old sister and he wouldn't let up.  Eventually, she retreated to the sanctuary of my bedroom where she thought she could hang out and get a little break before it was time for bed.  Deacon, of course, followed her and she tried to shut him out of the room.  When he opened the door to try to get in, she slammed it and his little hand got mashed in the opening (thankfully it was just a little bit bruised).  When we learned (and heard) what happened we sent our daughter up to her room and tended to Deacon's injury.

I went upstairs to remind her that slamming doors is one of those no-no's in our house, specifically for the very reason that little hands and fingers can get smashed in the process.  As we were speaking Kellie brought Deacon upstairs and, while he was still brushing away the tears, he sat down on her bed and told her that he needed to "have a talk with her".  Then he uttered words that I never thought I would hear from a child so young.

Very eloquently and clearly Deacon told his sister that what she did to him hurt his hand and it also hurt his feelings.  He told her that it wasn't a nice thing to do and that he didn't want her to do it again.  Then he offered her a chance to apologize, which she did.  He then told her that it was okay and leaned over to give her a big hug.  There was no screaming or irrational behavior.  The boy simply stated his feelings and, once his sister apologized, he was more than willing to grant her forgiveness and love on her a little bit.

Kellie and I pondered this little act of reconciliation after we put the kids to bed and we weren't exactly sure where our son learned to do that, although we were very proud of him for handling it like he did.  Then this morning I happened to be reading in Romans 5 when I came across verses 10-11:

For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 Just as my daughter was reconciled to my son after he forgave her, so are we reconciled to God through the death of Jesus.  But this act of reconciliation is much more impressive than being reunited together after a boo boo.  This passage tells us that we were enemies of God, and I don't know about you but God is the one person whose list I wouldn't want to be on.  So Jesus took that step of reconciliation for us, offering up His own life on our behalf so that we might have peace with God and the ability to truly worship and know Him.  What a beautiful picture of forgiveness and grace purchased for us on the cross of Christ and what a reason for expressing our joy to God.