Hello and Welcome!
It is a new week and a new day and I’m so glad you could join me as we continue our journey toward renewing our minds and improving our self-discipline. If you’re just joining me, you can read my article, A New Self Discipline Journey to learn more about why I am doing this, and how this may benefit you as well.
This week we are going to focus each day on rebuilding broken relationships. Each day this week I will provide affirmations, scriptures, and daily challenges regarding this topic. Next week will be a new one!
With that said, let’s start our morning together!
BREATHING EXERCISE
Before we begin let us take some deep breaths to calm our mind and prepare us for this mornings discipline.
MUSIC FOR A NEW DAY
I personally like to have some soft music in the background, so if that’s something you like as well below you will find a song you can play for the duration of our time together.
PRAYER For Rebuilding Broken Relationships
Now that we’re calm, let us transition to a time of prayer. Over the next few minutes you can pray on your own or feel free to use the following prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
Thank you that you made all things, and in you all things hold together. Through your blood, you have brought reconciliation between mankind and God, and you have given us the same ministry of reconciliation. May I work for the peace and restoration of relationships that have become difficult. Remind me that no relationship is beyond your healing power. You are able to do far more abundantly than all that I ask or imagine, according to the power at work within me. To you be glory throughout all generations, forever and ever.
In your mighty name,
Amen
Reconciliation Prayer | The Connect U.S. Fund
AFFIRMATIONS for Rebuilding Broken Relationships
Here are a few affirmations for this morning that you can put in your pocket and carry with you throughout your day.
As you read through them, repeat each one out loud at least three times before moving to the next. Take your time. Close your eyes and say them to yourself as well. Let these words sink into your heart and mind this morning:
- I set clear and healthy boundaries for my relationship(s).
- I am present in this relationship.
- I do everything I am able to do to ensure I nurture my relationship(s).
- I can take time and make space for myself when needed.
SCRIPTURES For Rebuilding Broken Relationships
As Christians, our affirmations should be rooted in the strength and power of God who empowers us and strengthens us to face every trial and every day (both good and bad).
Here are some scriptures that further support the affirmations we just spoke to ourselves. Again, repeat each one three times out loud before moving to the next one. Take your time. Maybe try to commit these to memory as well:
- Ephesians 4:2, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
- Colossians 3:12, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience.”
- Proverbs 25:21, “Return good for evil.”
- John 13:34, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
TODAYS CHALLENGE
Our challenge today is this: identify a broken relationship in your life that you want (and maybe need) to try and rebuild and then take the first step toward rebuilding that relationship.
Around 10 years ago, my parents got a divorce after almost 37 years of marriage. It was a devastating blow to me, largely due to how it fell apart (infidelity) and the close relationships I had with my father.
As a response, I remained in contact with my mom but I completely broke off any contact with my dad.
Many may (and did) argue this was the wrong thing to do, especially as a Christian. But I’ll be honest, it wasn’t their relationship to navigate (it was mine) and it was what I and my wife decided (together) was the best thing to do.
For 10 years I refused to respond to my father if he reached out, and if I did respond it was me reminding my father that I alone would let him know when I was ready to try to have a relationship with him again.
A part of me did this in hopes that my dad would snap out of whatever was going on in his head to make this decision and come back to the family seeking restoration and forgiveness.
But guess what? He never did. At least not during that time.
Rest assured, not a year went by without my wife and I revisiting whether or not it was time, if we were doing the right thing, and trying to figure out how to move forward if I was ever going to reach out to him.
Earlier this year (2023) we decided it was time to try and figure this relationship out. I reached out to my father and set up a lunch date with just him, my wife, and myself. We met at a restaurant and ate a meal, caught up on what transpired over the last 10 years, and I had every intention of leaving it at that.
After an hour or so I looked at my watch and told my dad that it was about time for us to go as the kids were at home waiting on us. He stopped me and said that he needed to tell me something before we parted ways. And he did. Through his tears (something I don’t recall ever seeing him do in front of me growing up) he told me that he had messed up big, that he missed us, and that he wanted our forgiveness.
I could tell he was sincere, and we offered a verbal confirmation of forgiveness.
We spoke some more about what happened, and how we’d like to move forward. We set some boundaries with him regarding his new wife (and family) agreed to have another meeting with the three of us and our kids. Which we did about a month later.
We are now slated to meet his new wife about 2-3 weeks from me writing this. Which, I’ll be frank, I’m not sure I’m ready for but I also recognize that it really needs to be done.
If I had held out and remained disconnected, I don’t know whether or not my father would’ve ever taken a step toward us in that way. But, I decided it was time and took the first step.
The first step, to be honest, was terrifying. I didn’t know what he’d say, I didn’t know how the first meeting after 10 years would go, and I wasn’t sure I even really wanted a relationship with him. I just knew that he was my father, that I missed him in my life (and the life of my family), and that I needed to figure out a way forward. So I took a step toward him.
I tell this story because I know we all have broken relationships at some level. Some need to remain broken. I have toxic relationships that I will never revisit because it would be unwise. But, there are relationships I know need to be rebuilt and I have to suck up my pride and find a way forward…with them.
If you find yourself in a similar position, I won’t lie…it’s going to be hard, terrifying, and filled with a whole lot of unknowns. But, in order to find healing for yourself, it likely needs to be confronted and re-established…even if it is re-established with new boundaries (much like I did with my dad).
So that is your challenge today. Identify one relationship you know is broken but needs rebuilding and whether they choose to reach out first or not, you take the first step toward them.
As of this moment, I don’t know how things will progress with my dad and I don’t know how things will progress with your broken relationship either. But, I think God will honor your desire to rebuild that relationship. And yes…I keep using “rebuild” instead of “restore”. Not because you (or I) may not desire restoration…but I think there is a period of rebuilding that must first take place before restoration becomes an option on the table.
Pray about it, seek God’s guidance, and make a move. Expect the unexpected. But most of all, expect that God will do something in your midst. You may just find that healing you’ve been longing for after all.
Quote of the Day
Today’s quote comes from the late Episcopal Pastor Phillips Brooks:
Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours. Be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious.
Phillips Brooks
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