The Gift of Reconciliation

I received a text message late last week from a former student in a parenting class I helped teach over the summer. The class, called Nurturing Parenting, is one of the classes approved by Fresno County for parents who have been court-ordered to take a parenting class. Often these parents have had their children removed from their homes by Child Protective Services, due to neglect, substance abuse or a host of other problems. Parents who are deemed "safe" to care for children can take this class and appeal through the court system to have custody of their children, once again.

Here's our text conversation:

Student: "Hi Carolyn it's "Student" from the parenting class. Wanted to let you know the kids are almost permanently back with me. Were on 12/1. I'm so happy!"

Me: "Congratulations, "Student"! And good work in finishing the class!! I pray you all have the best Christmas yet!"

Student: "It will be now that they are home...things have been going great! I wanted to say thanks for ur help in the class and God bless you!!"

Me: "It was a pleasure to teach you, "Student"! I really appreciate your cheerful attitude and your perseverance to keep doing the right thing :)!"

Student: "Oh and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!"

Me: "Thanks"

Student: ":)"

The Gospel of Christ is about reconciliation. Jesus came to pay the penalty for mankind's sin, thus reconciling man to God. But the Gospel extends to our relationships with our families as well. Wherever sin has damaged relationships, the Gospel is available to mend and heal. When the angel, Gabriel, announced the birth of John the Baptist to his father, Zacharias, the priest, he quoted the Old Testament prophecy about Elijah's ministry of reconciliation in Micah 4:6:

Gabriel speaking to Zacharias about John the Baptisit: "And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:16,17 (New American Standard Version)

"Behold I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse." Micah 4:5,6 (New American Standard Version)

The ministry of reconciliation is one of the ways we help prepare ourselves and others for "the coming of the Lord", both celebrating His birth ,at this season, and looking forward to His Second Coming, very soon!

--Posted by Mama O.