We're all prodigals...

Read Luke 15:11-32

The story of the prodigal son is possibly the best known Parable of Jesus Christ. The story touches on the love of a father for a son who treats him with contempt. Most parents of teenagers can probably identify with that; I know I can.

The son leaves takes his inheritance and leaves home, squandering his limited wealth and destroying his life and future. He eventually finds himself homeless and alone, living off the garbage fed to a farmer's pigs. It is at this point in the son's life that he realizes how good he really had it at his father's house, so he goes back, ready to plead to be taken in as a servant, and his father throws a feast and welcomes his son back into his home with joy and rejoicing.

I am finally in a place where I can identify with that father's pain. There is so much hope, and so much work put into the training of a child, perhaps a bit of a "spit and a promise" at times as well, but in the end, the child must make his or her decision as to what to do with all that nurturing and training that has been given to them.

When the child seems to have caught on and seems to embrace what you've tried to teach them, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment we parents feel, but when they turn their back on everything they've been taught, it hurts.

But then, we're all broken. God loves us as we are, cracks and all. He may not approve of our choices and actions, but he accepts us through the blood of Jesus Christ. Even as I feel my heart wants to shrivel up inside of me, I know that acceptance and I place my own son in the hands of my Heavenly Father.

As He spoke the words through the Prophet Jeremiah: "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Forever fruits...

Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

The following is an open letter to my son:

Y'know, when you invest your time and love in another person , and you finally start to see your efforts bearing fruit, that is an amazing feeling.

Nine and a half years ago, you came into our lives. Your mother and I weren't sure what to expect when a bespectacled seven-year-old came into our lives, walked into our humble little trailer and exclaimed "sweet! I have my own room!"

The first time you called me Daddy, I knew I was hopelessly lost.

Your life with us has been at times a battle, at times, a heartbreak, and at other times, absolute bliss. There have been times we've been so worried for you, we couldn't sleep.

Now, getting close to ten years later, you've grown into a handsome young man. Not only that, you've grown in other ways that touch my heart. Fewer are the moments of frustration,  and greater are the moments when I see a glimpse of the great man you are becoming.  Over the last two months, and even moreso, over the last three weeks, I have seen you exercise a maturity and a tender heart that make me realize, I was right to stay strong through the hard times.

I am proud to call you son, and look forward to seeing you grow fully into a man of strength and integrity.

Now I'm going to go have a little cry...a happy one.