Issue: How do I repair a rift I have with a family member?

Insight: I have actually had some recent experience in the department. There was a rift between myself and my parents, although they did not know it at the time. All throughout my life I had judged my parents quite harshly on how they raised me and these judgements caused me to become prideful, and resentful towards them.

One day as I was praying God revealed to me that they were doing they best they could at the time. Neither of them had pristine childhoods and who was I to judge them. I have no idea what it is like to grow up with an alcoholic for a father, or to have 5 children before I turned 25. These were things I had overlooked. I realized that I had made a lot of mistakes in my relationship with my parents and I had to make it right. I went to them and asked them to forgive me for judging them and harboring resentment towards them. Since that day the wall I had built between my parents and myself crumbled. I have been set free of the resentment and pride. It was like starting over again. The best part is... not only did it set me free, it also set my parents free. My dad has been changing more and more each day in a positive way and I am so excited to see how my relationship with both of my parents will continue to grow.

My suggestion for you is based on my experiences. Examine your relationship and see where you have gone wrong and the mistakes you have made. Then go and see that person and ask them to forgive you for the mistakes you made. Love them and pray for them. This is the best you can do for repairing the rift. Leave the rest in the other person's hands and see how God starts to move. God desires for us to be reconciled. 1 Corinthians 1:10 says "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."