Day 13: Redemption and Restoration–Growth Through Grace

Jesus sets the stage beautifully in Luke 15:11-32, the story of the prodigal son.

I’ve lost countless valuable things around the house. The longer I search, the more anxious I become. Before long, frustration sets in. That's when I start blaming others...even if they have nothing to do with it. The entire house gets caught up in the emotional chaos over this one (usually replaceable) item.

Then, I find it.
I'm filled with relief and joy, and a mini-celebration breaks out.
I snatch it up like a treasure and declare to the whole house, “I found it!”
I’m smiling just thinking about the emotions that come with finding something lost.

Imagine those feelings applied to a lost person instead of an item. There was an indescribable sinking feeling in my stomach when I thought I had lost one of my children at a theme park, which made "finding" her give me overwhelming joy.

That’s the message Jesus gives us in this parable. He paints a picture of the Father's heart when one of us returns home. Luke 15:24 (NLT) says,

For this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.

Grace in the Face of Shame

Have you ever drifted away from God’s will?

It starts with one decision. Then another. Soon, the momentum pulls you further from His path, and you feel like you can’t stop. That distance grows heavier. You know you're wrong, but you think, “I’ve gone too far. There’s no way back.”

I've been there.

God didn't draw me back with the defeating feeling associated with condemnation; He guided me with compassion.

When I finally came to God in honesty, I didn’t shroud my prayers in polished words, and I certainly didn’t sound like I was raised in church. I was broken, so I confessed, ashamed and unsure if I even had the right to pray. And in that moment…I felt His embrace. I could feel Him silencing my shame.

He wasn’t there to replay my mistakes or remind me how far I’d fallen. He was there to welcome His son home.

Jesus: The Perfect Picture of Redemption

God longs for our return. Not just once, but every time we drift. Like the good Shepherd in Luke 15:4-7, He demonstrates another upside-down phenomenon and leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one.

That kind of love and pursuit inspires me to do the same for others. Because here’s the foundational truth: Your family and team members will mess up. It's not if but when.

How will you respond?

Will you:

• Yell and assert your dominance?
• Shame them into silence?
• Keep a mental list of all the wrongs they’ve done?

Or will you:

• Correct with grace and patience?
• Create space for redemption?
• Keep the goal in focus—restoration, not retribution?

Let’s not be like the older brother in Jesus’ parable. He was resentful and prideful, and he focused only on the wrongs. Instead, let’s be part of someone’s redemption story.

A Leader’s Prayer

God, I dedicate my life, family, and team to You. Use me to redirect people back to You. Let my words, attitude, and actions reflect Your grace. Make me a safe place for others to learn, grow, and be restored. Let me rejoice, not resent, when someone finds their way back. And let my leadership model Your love. In Jesus' name, amen.

Redemptive leadership doesn't mean we overlook wrongs; it means we choose grace over grudge, restoration over revenge, and growth through accountability.

Let your leadership reflect the Father’s love.