The Prodigal Returned

May 28, 2009…the prodigal son returned for the 2^nd time.  This time my sweet son seemed like my old sweet son again; more calm and relaxed than I had seen in a long time.  What joy I felt! 

He brought his friend and roommate with him; maybe as a security blanket, maybe not.  He didn’t need one.  My husband, younger son and I were so happy to see him.  God is so good!  I prayed when I saw my son again, there would be no anger on my part; there wasn’t; just love and compassion.

Job described God as a “watcher of men”.  Keith and I prayed every night for Him to watch over Tim.  He did and protected him from the evils of this world.

Out son just got lost in his youth; in his new found freedom.  Even though our son had been trained and taught for 18 years, he wasn’t ready for the freedom all at once but took it anyway.  He became entangled in frivolous pursuits, finding out that life is a lot different away from home; that life is harder than one expected.  He learned to take care of himself though.  He learned to get by.  He never once asked for help, for this I am proud of him.

I believe everything he went through helped him to grow up and become more of a man.  He has learned lessons that sometimes just have to be experienced.  You can teach them and love them, but sometimes they just have to go through an experience to learn the lesson.

God was with him just as He promised.  He promises the believer, I will never leave you or forsake you.  He may seem still and quiet at times, letting you make your choices, but He is always there.  Psalm 121:3 says, “He who watches over you will not slumber.”

I am so thankful to have a God who watches over my loved one when I cannot (Job 7:20).  I’m so thankful for a God who continues to faithfully love us when we are unlovable.  I’m so thankful for a God who forgives (1 John 1:9). I’m so thankful for a God who cares and is compassionate (James 5:11, Ps. 145:8), who fights for us (Exodus 14:14), who will pass through the waters with us (Isaiah 43:2), that He shows unfailing kindness( Psalm 18:50),  a God whose words are trustworthy (11 Samuel 7:28), He is faithful to all His promises (PS. 145:13); that I have a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), a God who will wipe away every tear (Rev. 21:4), whose right hand sustains me (Psalm 18:35), a God who will strengthen and help me and uphold me with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).  My God is my Rock and Redeemer (Psalm 19: 14), He restores my soul (Psalm 23:3); He gave His son as a ransom to set us free (Hebrews 9:15).  He is a God who raised His son from the dead (Acts 2:24) to give victory over death (1 Cor. 15:54), who can lift me out of a slimy pit (Psalm 40:2); whose perfect love can drive out fear(1 John 4:18); a God who can give a peace that passes all understanding ( Phillipians 4:7), who loves with an everlasting love(  Jeremiah 31:3),  a God who will light my path( Psalm 119:105); will lead me in a straight path (Psalm 27:11); for a God whose judgments are true and just (Rev. 19:2), a God who heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3), who guides me always (Isaiah 58:11), who will guide me into all truth (Jn. 16:13), a God whose grace is sufficient for me (11 Cor. 12:9).  My God is faithful in all He does (Psalm 33:4); who teaches me to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil. 4:11).  He is a God who daily bears our burdens ( Psalm 68:19), and a God who will give me rest when I am weary (Matt. 11:29).

I’m so glad His love is based on His character and not on my performance.

My son knows this God.  He asked His son, Jesus into his heart when he was a little boy.  He still knows Him, but still has a lot to learn; just like me.  My son told me there is so much out there in the world to learn and he wants to learn it all.  I pray he and his friend will learn more about our awesome God as they grow in years and maturity. I pray for my son, who already has had a conversion experience, to learn to totally surrender his life to the Lord.  I pray he will learn to stay on the narrow path, to turn to His Maker through prayer and the sweet words of the Good Book; to remember that grace ripples are much nicer to live with than the ripple effect of sin; that the Rock is the only one to stand on, because of this, he can experience that peace that passes all understanding, to have no fear, to learn to follow the voice of God as the animals being led to the ark did, that he would learn of God’s character traits and call on them as he needs them for himself and for others, to take comfort in the shepherd’s staff, to never hide anything but the Word in his heart, to surround himself with friends who are like minded and to sow spiritual seeds where there is opportunity to do so, to stand for the truth no matter what, for his roots to grow strong and deep, to know wounds can be healed, to have boldness to share testimonies, to experience rest over burdens, to rest in the Almighty’s shadow, to not be deceived because he knows Truth so well, to learn to praise with open heart and hands the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and to never doubt that when he leaves this earth, he will be going to his real home to meet his Heavenly Father face to face and what a glorious, joyous occasion that will be!

It is good for us to remember that we believers have all been prodigals at one time or another.  If we do not deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus daily, we can drift away from our Heavenly Father, be it one day, one week, one month, a year, or even just an hour.

I pray not only for my son, but for myself as well, that nothing would become larger than my relationship with Christ.  After all, the most wonderful family to belong to is the one with God as the Father, who is always willing to welcome us back.

My son and his friend all ready know about quiet places.  They asked to go to the pond.  They felt the breeze and sensed the peacefulness.

May they never forget when life gets loud and crazy to find their quiet spot and reflect not on how big the storms are in life, but how big our God is. I pray they learn to tell their storms their God is bigger still.  And may they never feel homeless again, knowing there is a Father always looking for them, standing with arms opened wide, spirit filled with compassion, and a heart full of love for them.  Around His neck could be a sign that reads, “Home Sweet Home”.  I pray they enter that door and never leave.

His (mother) saw him and was filled with compassion for him; (she) ran to (her) son, threw (her) arms around him and kissed him.

            Luke 15:20

31.  a sanctuary of my own at the pond

32.  the treasures in the Word that sustain me

33.  friends that wouldn't let go

34.  holy whispers in my soul

35.  unconditional love