By Rev. Tim Handrick
“HE WAS LOST, AND IS FOUND.” Luke 15:24b
As we grow older, relationships often come more clearly into focus. When we reflect on the interactions and experiences we’ve had with our children over the years, it is easy to become flooded with a mix of emotions.
Many fathers or grandfathers carry a deep longing to reconnect with a child or grandchild after a falling out and struggle with what to say or do. Sometimes we speak words in anger that we regret later. And then silence slowly builds a wall we wish we could climb over. These barriers are harder to overcome the longer we sit and stew about it.
When relationships remain broken, the weight can settle heavily on the conscience. Regret might begin to whisper, “It’s too late to do anything.” But our Lord speaks a different word. He speaks a word filled with hope.
Jesus tells a parable about a father and his son in Luke 15. The younger son demands his inheritance, leaves home, and wastes everything. Eventually, he finds himself alone, ashamed, and unsure whether he can return. Yet, while he is still far off, his father sees him, runs to him, embraces him, and restores him to the family.
The parable is ultimately about God’s love for sinners, but it also reveals something beautiful about the heart of reconciliation. The father is not calculating or cautious; he is eager. His love is not withdrawn because of past hurt. He desires restoration and even runs out to meet his son before he begins reciting his apology.
I see a lot of aging parents and grandparents wondering how to take the first step toward healing. The path forward may not be simple, but there are some general principles that can help guide the way.
First, begin with prayer. Ask God to soften your own heart as well as the heart of the other person. Sometimes, we replay old arguments in our minds and become convinced the other person must make the first move. Yet, reconciliation often begins when one person chooses humility. Prayer helps us release the need to control the outcome and entrusts the relationship to God’s care.
Second, take a small step. Reconnection does not usually begin with solving everything at once. It might begin with a simple note, a card, or a short message: “I have been thinking of you and would love to reconnect if you are open to it.” A small gesture can open a door that has been closed for years.
Third, acknowledge what you can. We cannot rewrite the past, but we can take responsibility for our own words or actions. A sincere apology can be powerful, even if the other person also contributed to the conflict. Owning our part reflects strength, not weakness.
Fourth, allow time for healing. Just as wounds take time to form, they often take time to mend. Patience is an expression of love. Even if the relationship does not immediately return to what it once was, each step toward peace is meaningful.
Finally, remember that reconciliation does not rest entirely on your shoulders. The deepest comfort of the prodigal son is not simply that relationships can be restored, but that God’s love for you is already secure in Christ. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, your sins are forgiven. Your heavenly Father runs to meet you with mercy. You are received, embraced, and welcomed home.
Because we are secure in His forgiveness, we are free to seek peace with others without fear. Even imperfect attempts matter. A phone call, a letter, or a simple expression of love are all seeds God can use to bring unexpected healing.
If there is someone on your heart today, consider reaching out. It is never too late to take a step toward grace. The Father who welcomes you also works through you, bringing comfort, courage, and hope, even in places that have long-felt distant.
The Rev. Tim Handrick is the pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church in Blairsville, Ga.