And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4b-5
Maryam is sad and living with regret. “Unfortunately,” she shares, “I ruined my relationship with my daughter in law.”
Maryam recounts, “During a difficult time, I told my daughter in law that it was her fault that there are now many problems in the family. Now I realize that to lose your temper just once can ruin a relationship. I should never have said such things.”
Nate isn’t sure what he did that has kept his son from speaking to him for over two years. The broken relationship pains him every day, but despite his efforts, his son doesn’t respond to his texts, cards or calls.
The Proverbs say, “An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city” (Proverbs 18:19a). What do you do when it seems that a relationship is irrevocably broken, whether by your own doing or not?
Scripture says, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes,” so perfection in relationship isn’t the goal (James 3:2). Asking for forgiveness for what we’ve done–or even for what we may not realize that we’ve done, is always the beginning of healing. But it takes two people to mend a relationship. In the meantime, Maryam says, “I pray that God will give me patience in restoring that relationship.”
God is all about healing of relationship; first between us and Him and then between us and others. Lest we get discouraged in the process, Scripture encourages us: “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit” (Galatians 6:9 The Message).
As we keep loving and keep praying, we’re reminded: “The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled” (Romans 15:4).
