Releasing Regret, Choosing Hope
(Part 2)
When navigating the painful journey of a prodigal child, it’s easy to get stuck in guilt. In Part 1, we talked about releasing false guilt and understanding free will. But if we are being completely honest, there is often another side to the story.
Sometimes, we did make mistakes.
Sometimes our harsh words, unhealed wounds, or poor choices hurt our children, launching them in a direction we never intended for them to go.
Admitting that you made mistakes doesn’t mean you are a bad mother, it means you are a human one. But carrying unaddressed regret won’t bridge the gap between you and your child, and it will not ease that heavy burden you are carrying.
We need to own what we’ve done.
Moving from brokenness to restoration requires us to do the humble work on our end while trusting God with the rest.
True peace begins when we stop defending our intentions and start acknowledging that perhaps we did cause pain. It can be tempting to make excuses with “I did the best I could” or “You misunderstood me.” And although this can all be true, there is someone on the other end that has been hurt.
Real healing and reconciliation happens when we sit in the discomfort of their pain and simply say:
“I am so deeply sorry I hurt you when…”
It is essential to confess your faults clearly, humbly, and without attaching conditions.
Yet, even when we have humbly asked for forgiveness, true reconciliation requires two people.
We often think restoration only counts if our child runs back into our arms tomorrow. But while you can open the door through humility, it is up to your child to willingly choose forgiveness and step across the threshold into reconciliation. Rebuilding that bridge takes time and mutual willingness. Their heart may not soften right away, and that choice remains theirs to make.
Even if your relationship isn’t restored immediatley you can rest in peace knowing you have made things right before God. You are no longer holding onto pride, and you are no longer carrying unconfessed regret.
So, as the father did in the parable, keep watch from afar with a heart of hope. Keep your porch light on, keep your spirit soft, pray continually, and be ready to celebrate when your child does come home. Your sincere humility and apology is a powerful seed sown into their heart.
You have done your part; now leave the outcome in the Father’s hands.
Lord, give me the courage to look back without falling into shame. Where I have hurt my child, give me the humility to own it and ask for forgiveness. Thank you that when I bring my mistakes to You, You clean the slate. I place my relationship with my child into Your hands, trusting You with their heart. In Jesus name, Amen.
