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It didn't start out that way, though. Mother and daughter had once been close. The birthing process was a long planned for event, one full of joy and expectation. But then, as so often happens, the child grew up very fast. Before long, she was doing everything on her own. She even decided that the way Mom used to do things wasn't very good. So, with her pride in hand, she struck out into the world to do things right.
The mother, on the other hand, was left to deal with many of her own problems. It definitely hurt that the daughter had left with that attitude, but she really didn't know what to do about it. It seemed to soften the blow somewhat if she tried to ignore her daughter or even spoke negatively about her, but in reality this only made her own hurt deeper.
The daughter continued to grow and change. She, too, tried to ignore the deep longing inside to have a healthy, loving relationship.
Things would have remained as they were if it were not for the moving of God's Spirit. The daughter was being convicted of the need to reconcile with her mother. She desperately wanted to hear her mother say, "You are doing a good job. I'm proud of you." She realized, however, that in order to ever have any type of relationship like that, she would have to admit her sin and ask for forgiveness.
God's Spirit was not restricted to working in the daughter's life. The mother was also being moved and prepared for the healing of the relationship. So it started. There were letters and phone calls to arrange a meeting. Both sides were looking forward to the day, yet both were also a little nervous and unsure of the outcome.
The day came. They sat across the table from each other and looked into each other's eyes. The truth began to be spoken in love, and the truth was setting them free. Confession and forgiveness built the bridge to span the vast canyon that pride, arrogance and rebellion had dug between them.
Everything isn't back to where it was, or where they would like it to be, but the process has begun. It is a new relationship--a different, healthier one, built on the wide, firm foundation of God's loving plan for both of them.
On the evening of June 29, 1997, pastor Thom Braun and two elders from Westview Christian Fellowship stood before pastor John Wiebe and the members of Grantham MB Church to confess pride, arrogance and a rebellious spirit shown towards the mother church. After the confession, the elders were asked to stay at the front to receive the response from Grantham. John Wiebe and two men from Grantham's leadership extended their forgiveness, personally and on behalf of the congregation, towards the people of Westview. The joy was multiplied as the men from Grantham also asked for forgiveness for not showing the support and interest that Westview needed.
Songs of worship and praise to God were led by the Grantham worship team as the two congregations sat facing each other around the tables. The evening was crowned with the reconciled congregations sharing together the Lord's Supper.
A new relationship is underway. It is not perfect, and we will probably still hurt each other, but, as in a mother/daughter relationship, we will strive to build on our common foundation, that of both being a part of the family of God. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! . . . For there the LORD bestows His blessing, even life forevermore" (Psalm 133:1, 3b).
David Martens
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