When our own become prodigals

Lately my Savior has been nudging me concerning those adult children in my life that are presently on a wilderness excursion! I have been thinking on the parable of the prodigal son, it’s content and the response of our Savior toward all Prodigals.

The story of the lost son is found in Luke 15:11-32. We read that the youngest son demanded his inheritance from his father. Later on in the story we find him eating with the pigs.

Vs. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Vs. 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, vs. 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”

I too, have some of my own who demanded their inheritances. They, as well, have become prodigal, though they have the foundation of God’s Word learned when they were very younger. Life has not been easy for any of them so far.

As adults though, it was their decision to take the path of a prodigal. As parents, we are confronted with our children’s life decisions. Do we chase them? Do we say no when they want or need something?

We have our answers in the Prodigal story of the Bible. We never do see the father chasing the son and begging him to come to his senses but rather we see this response:

vs. 12 “So he divided to them his livelihood. Vs. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.”

The father granted the demanding son what he asked for. It may be that the father was earnestly praying to our Savior as he handed his wayward son what he asked for. I have been there before. Not always handling it as that father did but, I have come to realize that our children don’t belong to us anyway. Rather, they are lent to us from our Savior . They are with us until the Lord removes them, either as a prodigal, marriage or ministry calling. Sometimes, even by death itself.

Continue Reading 2 comments November 20, 2008