I recently reached out to someone I’ve been at odds with for a few years. Let’s call her Shannon.
From my side, I wasn’t even sure how the conflict had started. But I could tell—through body language, distance, and silence—that something was broken. And after years of letting that distance stretch, I finally reached out to ask if she’d be willing to meet. No expectations, just a hope for clarity, maybe even healing.
She responded.
But not how I had hoped.
Her reply was polite but firm: she had no interest in meeting, no interest in revisiting the past, and no hope for a future relationship between us. She shared some reasons why, things she believed about my character, my work, even how I’ve parented. She said she had moved on—and asked that I respect her boundary.
To be honest, I was stunned. I didn’t see it coming with that level of finality or judgment. I cried. I sat with the words for a while. I even questioned if I had done the right thing by reaching out.
But then something surprising happened: peace. Not because the situation was resolved, but because I had done the thing I felt God nudging me to do—extend an invitation. Not for self-defense, not for control, but for reconciliation. And when she said no, I was free to let go, knowing that love was still possible even when restoration wasn’t.
It reminded me of Paul’s words in Romans 12:18:
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
That little phrase—as far as it depends on you—is such a gift. It acknowledges that peace requires two willing hearts. But it also gives us a responsibility: to do what we can. Not perfectly, not performatively, but humbly and sincerely.
Sometimes, peace looks like a beautiful reunion and shared understanding.
Sometimes, peace is a boundary, a closed door, and a goodbye that you never wanted—but you respect it anyway.
And still, God meets us there.
Amy Griffin
Evening Show Host, STAR 99.1
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Wow, that was beautiful.
It is a sad fact that others can think or believe things about another that are far from true, but yet they find a need to cling to their belief, even when evidence proves them wrong. I have found it is best to be patient and kind as there may be reasons why illusions or negative thinking can influence all of us. It can be a test of our faith that as it says in the Beatitudes, Jesus Sermon, that Blessed are you when persecuted and all manner of evil is spoken against thee falsely, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven. Because of this we must be patient and loving of our enemies not just our Christian friends but to all as how is anyone to learn what being a true Christian is if we can not bear wrongs patiently and to seek to understand one another.
Went thru something similar with a family member- the accusations were shocking but through prayer and the ability to reconnect on a level of setting boundaries, we were able to salvage what I prayed was not lost. It is different and that makes me sad, but with God’s strength and guidance, I knew I had followed His direction. I continue to pray for this person and our relationship but am feeling the peace in all of this. Thank you for sharing your story.