Prodigals

A friend once said that each child has to go through the revolving door of salvation. No matter how often a child attends Sunday school or how much Scripture they memorize or when they are baptized, each one has to enter into a relationship with God on His terms. Some of us catch only a whiff of the world before coming back through that revolving door. But others of us wander in the wilderness for years.

Few things are harder for a mother to deal with than a prodigal child. We’ve done our part. Now they need to do their part. But no matter how far they wander and no matter what they are doing, they are never alone. Even if we haven’t heard from them in years, God is right there with them, gently nudging them toward home. If you are struggling with the pain of watching a child wander from God, don’t give up—and don’t let your child’s decision to walk away from God take you off the battlefield. Your story, when it’s given to the Father, will yield a harvest that you cannot imagine. Keep walking with God. Keep praying. Rest in God’s provision and lean hard on His love—it endures forever. Pray always, believe always, hope always. He is watching over your child even now.

WHEN MOTHERHOOD HAS LEFT YOU WOUNDED . . .

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

WHEN YOUR PRODIGAL NEEDS PROTECTION . . .

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO PRAY OVER YOUR PRODIGAL . . .

May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

WHEN YOU NEED TO CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES WITH YOUR TEEN WISELY . . .

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

WHEN YOU NEED TO HEAR YOUR CHILDREN ARE NEVER BEYOND GOD’S REACH . . .

Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you,

nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.