Choose a Person to Love One person I chose to love was my Dad. God is all about redeeming relationships. He gave His only Son for an intimate relationship with each of us. And He can restore any relationship that is fully yielded to Him. At age 16, I was estranged from my Dad who struggled with alcoholism. We rarely saw each other or even spoke for many years that followed. Through extending the same love, mercy and forgiveness to my Dad that God extended to me, I was completely freed from any bitterness or pain of our past. My prayers that spanned over 30 years were finally answered when my Dad accepted Christ at age 68. Soon after, he was miraculously healed of cirrhosis of the liver and lived for 5 more years - the sweetest 5 years of my life. Through our broken hearts and obedience to Christ, our once badly damaged relationship was slowly but completely restored. Even beyond our wildest hopes and dreams. Loving others, extending forgiveness, and showing mercy is just passing along what has already been given freely to us, even when we didn't "deserve" it. While forgiveness freed us of bitterness and pain it was just the first step to our relationship being fully redeemed. We both had to lay down our pride, be repentant to God and open to His work in our heart, our lives and ultimately our relationship. Sometimes it is hard to imagine what God can do with an obedient heart, especially when things look hopeless. I am so glad my Dad and I were both willing and open to allow God to redeem our relationship. Marsha Allison Sites September 30, 2008 10:02 PM All rights reserved.