Restored Friendship

Restored Friendship

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

I’d had a falling-out with a friend several years back. It happened a bit unintentionally—I was in a season of grieving, and the pain I felt spilled out to those around me. It wasn’t a pretty scene. I said and did things during that time that I later regretted.

The years passed, and we drifted apart, but I often found myself praying for this other woman. God would bring her to my mind, and I would feel conviction over the way I’d treated her. I began to pray that God would give me the opportunity to make things right between us.

Two years ago, I noticed her again as she joined a group I was a part of. I walked up to her hesitantly to greet her, and we engaged in small talk about our lives. I told her I was glad to see her again. After we left, I found and connected with her on social media. We began to talk whenever we saw one another until finally I invited her and her family to my house for dinner one night. Around the table, we shared about our lives, the things God had done over the years, and where we found ourselves now. When she left that night, I felt a peace about our relationship, thankful that God had made a way to redeem what had earlier been broken.

No friendship will ever be perfect, and we will all have times when we have to ask for and also receive forgiveness from others. Scripture reminds us in these times to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving, just as Christ has forgiven us. This friend extended forgiveness to me, allowing our friendship a second chance, and I am forever grateful. It is not always easy to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, but when we are, we follow Christ’s example.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Is there someone you are holding a grudge against? Pray and ask God to give you direction on how to forgive them. If you are the one needing to ask forgiveness, reach out and say that you are sorry.