Two years ago in August, I wrote a post called “The Measure of a Good Father,” where I shared how we can’t use our earthly fathers to anticipate the goodness of God, but rather, God himself is the measure for what a good father is. I shared about the rift in my relationship with my parents, and some of you readers committed to praying for reconciliation for us.  God has done a great work since then, and I owe you all a huge thank-you.  I have edited the original post, and the link is included above if you have not read it or do not remember.

UPDATE: Last May, my husband and I traveled to visit with friends, tour another camp, and meet with a ministry partner.  Our destination was only hours from where my parents were living.  Both my husband and I individually felt God nudging our hearts that this may be His timing for reconciliation.  When we communicated together about this, we both felt peace that this was God’s plan. 

The thing about knowing God is the one nudging you to reach out is that there is such freedom to obey without worrying about the outcome.  Being able to contact my parents without carrying the weight of responsibility for how things would turn out was an amazing gift.  God had prepared not only my husband and myself, but he had also prepared my parents.  After 16 years of broken relationship, we are reconciled. God is so good.  The relationship we have now, though years have been lost, is even sweeter than what we had before the relationship was broken.  Our children have seen that all things are possible with God.  God is the Restorer.  Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. 

If you have broken relationships, I want to encourage you to continue to pray for those people. There is something about praying for others that is preserving to your heart, and keeps you soft toward them. When you don’t know how to pray, just ask God for His will, His way, and in His timing. There are times that reconciliation is not healthy or possible, but while God works on us, He is working on other people too. Living with open hands is healing.

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,”

Joel 2:25