The Prodigal Son

Are you familiar with the story of the prodigal son? Until a few years ago I always related to the other son, the one who stayed at home and did what he was supposed to do, the loyal, obedient, rule follower. Like him, I wondered why that rascal of a son who demanded his inheritance and then ran away and did everything his father spent his whole life teaching him not to do was celebrated upon his return. It wasn't until my kids reached a certain age and started, well, not following the rules, that I was able to identify with the father in that story. I love my kids, so much, and as a parent there is nothing sweeter than seeing your kids make good choices after they have made some bad ones. As you watch them go off in a direction you know could lead to pain and suffering your heart brakes, but when you see them turn around and start walking in the right direction, that's sweet victory. The kind of victory that makes you want to celebrate, maybe kill the fattened calf and have a party.

It's not just kids that we celebrate turning their lives around. What about that friend who walked away from the church, the cousin who is an alcoholic, the family member in jail, or the classmate who has gotten involved in the wrong crowd. When we care about people we want to see them making good choices, not ones that will lead to regret, hurt and brokenness.

What about the husband who has had an affair and has walked away from his family. Ooh, hard one. Does he deserve our care and concern? Do we want to see him turn his life around? And, if he does, how do we react? Do we, like the father in the story of the prodigal son, celebrate his return? A little more complicated?

I have some great friends, the best you will find anywhere, and they love me and care about me. You might be one of them. I am so thankful for their love and support over the past few years, and I will ask for it again.

I have a prodigal husband who has been wayward for some time now. The past couple of months I have seen him making strides to turn from that waywardness. What does that mean exactly, I don't know, but what I do know is that I can take a clue from the father in the above mentioned story "...his father saw him, and had compassion..." Luke 15:20. This is where I am.