And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his ]wealth between them..
Having a prodigal child is tough. In Luke 15:11-12, the son said, “give me my share”. How did the father feel as his son just left with his share?
We have a daughter who is temporarily out of communication with us. Children leave home sometimes under tough circumstances. When that happens, what grabs our hearts? The father didn’t know where his son was or when he would ever return. We don’t know when we will see our daughter again. Of course we want her back but as we wait, what is our heart condition? Is it worry, anxiety, hurt, or bitterness? “Lord, bring back what is ours.” Is she truly ours? Or…
Do I trust that God is good? (Psalm 145:9)
Do I trust that she is His child? (John 1:12)
Do I trust that I am complete in Christ in order to be at peace no matter where she is in her journey? (Col 2:10)
Do I trust that He will work all things together for good and according to His (not my) purpose? (Rom. 8:28).
Do I trust the good work He has done and is doing in her? (Phil 1:6)
What will be the condition of my heart when she returns? Will I be willing to receive her unconditionally as the father did? Am I a minister of reconciliation for God? (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
This is not easy, I know. But the truth is we have a Good Father who knows us intimately and loves us so much that He sacrificed His Son for us. Jesus died for us after we left Him, welcoming us back. Now nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:39)
Because of Jesus, we have the Grace through The Holy Spirit to welcome others back and love them as He loved us. The choice is ours to follow Him or go our own way.
Lori