SCOTTISH CASTLE WEDDING
Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
In August 2000, my nephew Andrew married Carla. The wedding took place in a Scottish castle hotel near Edinburgh, with a church nearby for the ceremony.
Our Canadian family came over in large numbers for the occasion, and Mum booked rooms in a hotel in a nearby village.
This was always going to be a difficult wedding because Philip, my eldest brother and Andrew’s father, was not on speaking terms with any of us.
The ceremony took place on a Friday, and there was an unexpected problem — the organist had forgotten about the wedding! Thankfully, the vicar was able to play the organ himself, so he ended up doing both jobs.
After the ceremony, we headed to the reception. Andrew, being a police officer, had invited many of his large and cheerful fellow officers, many of whom were wearing kilts.
We even had haggis, which for non-Scots is made from sheep’s stomach! There is also a tradition that “real” men who wear kilts do not wear underpants underneath, although I have never tested that theory myself!
The whole day was emotionally difficult for me because it was the last time I ever saw my eldest brother. We are now completely estranged, and that still brings deep hurt and sadness.
I must say honestly that the fault is not entirely his. My own actions caused him deep pain as well.
Years later, I tried to contact him through another person, but I was accused of using that individual to get to him. His response was that, because of the past, he did not want me to contact him again.
The next day, some of us went into Edinburgh, and later we all attended the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Peter especially enjoyed the performance by the ladies from the Australian Institute of Physical Education!
He was a great source of laughter and joy to me. We shared many happy moments together, and I miss him more than words can express.
Devotional Thought
Resentment and bitterness are terrible things. They can hold you captive for years.
I have written these words not to shame my brother Philip in any way. I still pray for him. In fact, the last time I was in the UK, I tried to contact him and only managed to speak with his wife. I gave her my phone number, but I never received a response. Even so, I continue to hope.
For many years I carried resentment against him. After all, I felt that he had hurt me, and I believed I had every right to be angry.
But it was only when I let go of my anger and truly forgave him from my heart that healing began in my own life.
Forgiveness is about releasing the anger we hold against another person. The scars may remain, but only through forgiveness can true healing come.
Matthew 6:14–15
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”
Before we can truly heal, we must forgive.
This is incredibly difficult. Forgiving someone who has deeply hurt you is one of the hardest things a person can do, and it can only truly be done through Christ.
One thing we should always remember is this:
Look at all the things Christ has forgiven you for.
Then ask yourself how you can refuse to forgive others.