From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
I had a strong disagreement some years back with a good member of my church.
When I say “strong disagreement” I am not talking about a shouting match or anything unruly.
An issue had come up in the church, which involved finances.
Now, I’m no ostrich with my head stuck in the sand when it comes to dealing with people and finances in the church.
At the best of times money, and our opinions about it, can unearth an unbridled passion, which can easily progress from civilized to wild gazelle.
Our conversation began reasonably enough, both parties posturing for the upper hand with their side of the issue.
However, as points were made an impasse quickly developed.
Although tempers never entered the conversation the dialogue ground to a halt when it was obvious neither of us was budging.
I hung up the phone that night with a heavy heart, wishing I could call my friend back quickly and resolve things.
However, I knew that I should give him some space and elected to drop a card to him in the mail, instead.
I also spent time praying for him and for the Lord to help us to just “agree to disagree.”
I got the surprise of my life two days later.
I was going back to my office after a late meeting, around 10:15 p.m. on a Wednesday night.
I was tired, having put in a 12-hour day.
The remnants of the phone call were still lingering in my mind like Scrooge’s undigested beef.
But then I saw it.
Amidst papers and open books, right next to my laptop, was something that spoke volumes to me with its sheer simplicity.
I’m not Moses, and this wasn’t a burning bush, but it may as well have been.
It was a crudely crafted olive branch.
A cluster of three dried branches (from his back yard, perhaps?), tied together with a garbage bag tie, and 3 olives fastened on the ends of each twig, were the ingredients for love in action on this night.
My friend had somehow slipped by me that evening unnoticed to deposit this memento of reconciliation.
In almost 22 years of ministry to that point I can honestly say that I had never had an experience quite like that one.
I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders as I contemplated the impact of this simple, but powerful gesture.
A day later, when I saw him, we laughed as if the conversation of earlier had never even happened.
We were still on opposite sides of this issue, but with mutual respect for each other’s point of view.
I wonder, are you needing an olive branch extended to you?
Or maybe, you need to offer one to someone else?
Reconciliation and forgiveness are powerful gifts that we all need to give and receive from time to time.
Relationships are too important to leave unhealed.
Open sores tend to attract infection.
Deal with issues while you have the opportunity.
Tomorrow may be too late.
