My grandmother was a wonderful, God fearing woman. I lived with her for some time. She was the only person in my life who told me that she loved me and nothing would ever change that. When my parents weren’t around she would take me to church – something they would have never approved of. She had significant influence over my life and my beliefs.
Every morning, Grandma would make herself a cup of tea and place two sugar covered mint leaves on the saucer beneath her cup. She had a tiny silver spoon that jingled as she stirred the milk into her tea. She’d take a sip and give me one of the mint leaves. I loved that spoon. The only time she used it was in the morning when she sat with me. It was shiny and special. One morning I pilfered it and hid it inside a napkin and placed it under my pillow.
That night, Grandma was getting ready to tuck me in. I had been feeling guilty all day. I loved her so much but I really wanted that spoon – something to remind me of her when she wasn’t with me – it was like a little piece of her. I knew she was upstairs waiting to tuck me in and my fear that she had found the spoon under my pillow made me queasy. I didn’t want to disappoint the only person I was sure loved me. Gran sat on the side of my bed and pulled the covers back while I got in. She gave me a kiss on the forehead and began walking away. I couldn’t let her walk away but I was afraid to face her. “Grandma,” I called out as I took the spoon from under my pillow, “remember you said you’d always love me, no matter what? I took your spoon.” I stood on the promise she had made to love me no matter what and faced my fear because of my guilt.
Jacob had a similar experience. He had stolen his brother’s blessing, but Jacob didn’t hang around to face the music - he high-tailed it out of town. Years later he heard that Esau and his posse of 400 were on their way towards Jacob and his family. Guilt and fear abounded. Jacob sent his men ahead with a peace offering but the fear didn’t subside - the fear for himself and his family. So what did he do? He did what he knew best to do – he prayed. He prayed to God. He wrestled with Him until he was blessed and he stood on the promises God had made him. He walked behind God to meet his brother and was met with an embrace.
Not everyone we’ve hurt will embrace us when our paths cross; reconciliation does not always bring about restoration, but one thing is sure, if we ask Him, God will go before us. We can always stand on the promises of God.
