Saying I’m sorry is better late than never saying it at all. Saying I love you is better said on a deathbed than to die without ever having said it. Finding ways to encourage your children late in life is better than letting them come to their own end wondering, “Did Mom or Dad ever really care about me?” One of the most amazing experiences is to see the good that a few words of encouragement can do even at the end of that parent’s life.

There is no way of changing the wrongs of a lifetime. The human consequences of selfish, alcoholic, adulterous, abusive, workaholic parenting cannot be wiped away like unwanted chalk on a blackboard. But you can know the joys of the Teacher who taught His followers to live one day at a time, confess their wrongs, make restitution
where possible, and thereby know God’s peace.

But what if the child dies before the parent has a chance to show that care? You can still dignify and honor the life and memory of that child. You can put your mistakes to work for someone else who could benefit by being cared for by you.

The apostle Paul illustrated the possibility of putting our mistakes to work for others. He became like a father to many after having made many violent mistakes. In his early years, he was an angry and abusive man (Acts 8:1-3). His actions left memories that weighed heavily on him (1 Tim. 1:15). Yet he didn’t give up. He went on to become one of the most important parent figures of all time. Driven by the mistakes of his past, and by the forgiving love of God, he went on to be like a father to those who soaked up his love, his wisdom, his example, and his prayers.

After finding out how much God loved him, after a change of heart, and after experiencing the redeeming strength of Christ, Paul became known for his example, his advice, his correction, and his warm, affirming words of encouragement. He learned to provide the gentleness of a mother and the strong comfort and challenge of a father (1 Th. 2:7-12). His “adopted” children would certainly say, “Better late than never.”