Fixer Upper

hosea 3:1-3
even when we mess up, God forgives us.  that's part of the beauty, but its not to be taken advantage of.  in the same way, even when friends betray me or act against me, i ought to demonstrate love again and forgive them--let them start fresh with me and return to a pure friendship with them.  i ought to reconcile because God reconciled with israel even when she had strayed far away.  even when we have strayed far away.  his standards are high and immutable, but at the same time, his love is extensive and he takes the sinner back in.  for the single sheep thats lost its path, the shepherd goes out to find it and bring it back home again.  so when i have friends who lose their way and hurt me, i should welcome them back and smile.  in that way, not only will that "friend" be surprised and hopefully see through to your glory, but others apart from the situation might see it as well.

this reminds me of my particular situation with a friend with whom i compete in a variety of areas for awards.  the competition has a tendency to create tension that i would very much like to diffuse, because our competitive natures have caused a divide and the exchange of some less than completely kind remarks.  i must admit that im not completely innocent, but recently i've been nothing but smiles.  now, i must be like hosea though and welcome that friend regardless.  others will see it, to be sure.  i will be the better example and hopefully the kindness will be reciprocated with a diffusion of hard feelings.  in application, i sent a message to that friend, specifically indicating my hopes for at least niceties between us. 

and this is just a fun song about fixing things up: