~ Maria’s Uncle ~

[Lani]

Colossians 3:12-15
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.


Goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace. James 3:18 (TEV)



Maria was reared by her aunt and uncle. When she married an Asian man she met in college, her uncle Ned was furious. He told her to have the marriage annulled. She refused, and Ned ended all future communication.

Maria was heartbroken, but she loved her husband. In time, they had three children. Uncle Ned rejected every attempt Maria made to contact him. Years passed. When Maria’s daughter was engaged, Maria wanted Ned to come to the wedding. Not knowing what to do, she called Ned’s pastor. They talked about the problem, and they prayed.

When the minister talked to Ned, he found out that part of Ned’s military service had been in Korea and that Ned had suffered at the hands of Korean soldiers. Ned and the minister prayed together. In time, Ned realized that he had been wrong to dislike Maria’s husband because he was Asian. A family meeting was arranged. When Maria and her uncle saw each other again, all bitterness disappeared.

Maria’s daughter was married in the church Ned attended, wearing her great aunt’s wedding gown. The family became whole again. By letting God end the bitterness, Ned had his niece back, as well as a new, loving family. He became close to Maria’s husband; and by the time Ned died, the young man Ned had rejected for so many years was like a son to him.


Prayer: Dear Lord, please help us to let go of bitterness so that it does not rob us of love in our lives. Amen

Prayer Focus of Day: Families divided by prejudice.

Thought for the Day: Get rid of all bitterness and forgive one another. (See Eph. 4:31-32)

Story shared by: O. Colvin (FL)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/19/11