All parties involved might not always opt to be humble and willing to change, but bottom line.. relationships are always worth restoring.

God says.. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18

It might not at this time be possible, but it might become possible one day in the future. I know some individuals who have been around ..yeah, pretty close to a loved one.. with destructive addictions of various types and that makes it all the more challenging for a person to be around. Sometimes it's not even safe. 

And I've talked with other people who have suffered from some real abuse before, and for those who have been it often isn't currently possible..not yet ..though they wish with all their hearts that it were possible. We want to see God change sinners and make them safer to hang with. Please be wise and take steps to not become abused by the same abusers again. 

And there are others where it looked impossible for years, but then all of a sudden the Lord finally made it possible.. without overriding that person's choice. You know that God can give you a wisdom that is superior to any wisdom that this world can give. He understands what you've been through and He is pullin' for ya so that you can make the best of that situation you're in. He's there to comfort, to heal, to minister to, and even to help you make sense of your life.. yes, for you cuz He accepts and cherishes you. 

May I ask.. have you prayed about that relationship yet? Not a bad question. Many people have told me how they try everything they can come up with, and they really have done their very best to help on their own.. but this "praying for the relationship" part somehow didn't enter their minds. I want to remind you that He should be the first friend to turn to rather than the last place to go. And God can do a whole lot with our simple honest reaching out to Him in faith. 

"As far as it depends on you".. have you earnestly prayed combining that with practically doing all that can be done thus far? Have you asked for God's wisdom, tone and tact? Have you, in your heart forgiven that person who deeply hurt you? I'm not saying, go tell them that you forgive them.. if they don't come asking for this.. or if they were really the wrong-doer but somehow strange are convinced that they were not.  

Could there be anything to do that hasn't yet entered your mind? Dear God, please put new ideas about us applying your word ..into our brains so that we can go for it and please you. I know You can make a way where there is no way. Thanks. 

I'm thinking about one kind and very generous father who ..as much as it was possible for him.. he lived at peace with people. But there came a time when all that he could do sure wasn't much to the natural eye. He waited for his younger son to turn, and for his older son as well. Here is a part of this family's story that really get's me the most...   

"And he (the younger son) arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry." Luke 15:11-32

Father's who lived during this era when these verses were written didn't typically run anywhere, but because of love ..this father sure ran ..and it was towards a wrong-doer who had hurt him to the core. Many would have run in the other direction. Amazing love! Nowhere else in the entire Bible do we have a picture of God running.. but here we see. It's a picture of the Father running towards a sinner. 

When I was a teenager, I remember how rebellious I was in my heart. The hurt inside ran deep. Thought I had good reason to be how I was. It wasn't good and this attitude wasn't easy for my parents or siblings to live with I'm sure. So glad that they were patient with me, especially my parents. They were indeed. 

So happy that God's mercy and love could run farther with me ..and much deeper than the pain inside. His love can go deeper than any dark pit that you or I or another can dig us into. And He reached me. What a relief to find Jesus.  

It's really cool that our Lord will never force us, push us, coerces us, pressure us, manipulate us, or for gain drive us against our will. However, He will as a good Shepherd gently lead us according to His Word ..doin' what's best for us. God has never pushed or made demands upon me ..or upon you. He is meek, kind, tender, strong, and the Gospel is so reasonable. God says, "Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord.." Isaiah 1:18

You know it's so easy for any of us to become stubborn like some bullheaded know-it-alls (it's just part of our old nature inside), but God has a better way. He can soften our hard hearts and bring hope where it used to be. 

His Son was humble in all relationships, so why can't I be that way with all relationships? Didn't show me how to live? Sure He did. Humility would sure help relationships that have been painfully rent apart or brused. Listen, the Father's heart was also rend in half so to speak.. by His wayward kids. Yet He thoroughly understands each one, and He is only a prayer of faith away from you at this time. I challenge you to call out to Him for His relational grace and mending. facebook.com/shareJesus