After
homeschooling our three children for over 20 years, we watched them walk away
from the Lord, and from us, one by one. Since this process began twelve years
ago we have seen them leave, return, and leave again. Two of our children are
currently estranged from us. While I can write it here as dry fact, nothing
pains my heart more, every day, than not hearing from those two children.
I
struggle often with the what-ifs and blaming myself. As a mother, made my children
a priority for years, praying they would grow up to follow Jesus. This was my
life’s calling. The condemnation of failure has weighed on my heart.
This
past weekend, I heard a sermon about the Prodigal Son, which gave me new
insight. You see, what I forgot when I was busy protecting my children from the
world was that they were born with the same sinful, prodigal heart I was.
The
Prodigal Son thought he’d be happier with his father’s stuff, but without the
father. I lived that way once, before I knew Jesus Christ as my Savior. Sometimes
I still act like I can handle an area of my life without God’s help. Even
believers can act like prodigals.
The
Prodigal Son went away to a distant land and lived in pleasure until his money
and friends were gone. We know how the story goes. But his father didn’t know
the outcome at the time. What we read in a few sentences, could have taken
place over months or years. How many days did the father take a peek out on the
road, in case his son was out there, and go back to the house disappointed?
It’s hypothetical, because it’s a parable, but the story can give us
perspective.
We
don’t know how long our profligate sons and daughters will take to get to the
point of the prodigal in the parable. What, to them, will be like eating pig’s
food before they come to their senses? What did it take you or me to realize
the need for God’s grace and forgiveness?
These
days I’m thankful for the little miracles—a visit home by one of my children
after three years away or a recent “happy birthday” phone call. I count these
blessings, when once I would have taken them for granted.
Confess there are moments I’m angry at God and ask why our family relationships
aren’t better. Yet, He has allowed it all for a purpose. Whether it is to
humble me or help me to see things through His eyes. Lord, do you feel I’ve pulled away from you like that? You must feel so
pained when your children are too busy or angry to spend time with You. These
are thoughts I’ve pondered. He’s also taught me mercy toward others in the
brokenness.
I
wish I had the magic formula to share with mothers of all prodigals—a sure fire
prayer with a guaranteed result. Something like: X prayer + Y prayer = your
child coming home. But I can’t.
I
can share these truths:
1) God loves your child even more than
you do. They have been “fearfully and wonderfully made” by Him. He sent His Son
to die for them.
2) We fail sometimes, but no parent is
perfect. God, who is the Perfect Parent said about ancient Israel, “I
reared children and
brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.” (Isaiah 1:2) He
understands how we feel. But also we need to remember what Romans 5:20 says: “.
. . where sin abounded, grace did
much more abound . . .” We have made mistakes, but God’s grace covers it. Where
we were lacking, He is not. God is more than sufficient to bring healing grace
to our children. Don’t feel like a failure! Move forward in God’s forgiveness
and love.
3) He changes us as we pray. He says: “My grace is sufficient for
thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness.” We cling to Him when we realize we don’t have all the
answers. He gives me more than I can handle because of His grace and love for
me. He wants me to cling to Him for daily strength.
Dear fellow-parents
of prodigals, don’t give up on His promises, don’t give up on hope. Be ready
with the ring and the robe, love, and forgiveness, out on the proverbial road,
just in case today is the day your prodigal is coming home. We may not know the
“when” or “how,” but He is big enough to do it. Yet, whatever He does, He has a
plan. Through it all we can’t be separated from His love.
ABOUT AUTHOR KATHLEEN ROUSER
Kathleen
Rouser has loved making up stories since before she could even read. She
desires to create characters, who resonate with readers and realize the need
for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. Her first novel, Rumors
and Promises, was published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, in 2016.
CONNECT WITH AUTHOR KATHLEEN ROUSER
Website:
kathleenrouser.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kerouser
Facebook
Author Page:https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser/
Twitter:
@KathleenRouser
Pinterest:
https:/ /www.pinterest.com/kerouser/
No comments:
Post a Comment