Since my son Nathan was a small boy, he has always had a heart for people–to play with them when little, to talk to them, to reach out to them and to love them.
As a high schooler, he had so many friends and was awash in those who needed to be rescued or loved. The Prodigal Story is one that captivates his heart and mine. Hope you will enjoy his article today!
The Prodigal Son: A story that undoubtedly strikes fear into the hearts of parents everywhere.
The Prodigal Son is the story of a wayward son who demands his inheritance early, and ends up leaving his home and squandering his money on everything from sex to gambling. The prodigal eventually finds himself broke and in the dirt, with memories of home running through his mind. It is then he decides to return home, to beg for forgiveness and maybe find a job as simply a servant in his father’s household. But, upon his arrival home, instead of finding bowed heads of disappointment, he finds a feast and celebration in his honor and the loving embrace of his forgiving parent.
I think this story is one we can all relate to, whether you are the prodigal, OR the mother (or father) of a one. The Prodigal Son is a story that will speak to almost anyone living in this fallen world.
That being the case, over the years I have heard countless people dissect, teach and react differently to this story . Naturally different people focus on different aspects of the story as it pertains to them:
- As parents, I’m sure the immediate inclination is to ensure that it never becomes a reality for their children.
- As pastors and teachers, I’m sure there is a need to teach and show the detriment of selfish desires and sinful living.
- But as a son, who has been a prodigal once or twice in his life, my interest lies in something different.
What pulls the Prodigal home…
I want to see the voice that spoke inside of the prodigal-the voice, when the wayward son felt the most down and out, that called him home. I want to know why he listened to it. Why is the wayward son was suddenly willing to humble himself to the lowest position just for a chance to be back in his parent’s care?
I think back and remember the times in my life when I found myself surrounded by the consequences of some poor choices and willful rebellion, trying to recall what it was that called me home.
As I ponder, I remember the sound of the song that guided my steps back home, into redemption and the grace–it all comes back to me. I start to remember, the thing that ended up pulling me home, the driving force to my return to the straight and narrow, wasn’t the instruction or admonishment about rebellious living I had heard a thousand times in church. It wasn’t the countless warnings of sin (then too late to be applied, anyway).
Instead, it was something so much more personal, real and tangible.
It was the song of my home that would play in my ears, as I would sit with my head in my hands, trying to find the light in a dark situation. It was remembering the warm embrace of a loving family and an inviting home. It was the grace with which my mistakes would always be met. It was the warm meals, good conversation and the personal connection I missed with the ones I loved. A place to belong, It was the beauty of what home was truly meant to be.
Essentially, my reason for choosing to leave my prodigal tendencies in the past, to return home to my loved ones… Was having loved ones and a home worth returning to.
There is a Biblical picture for this that God paints masterfully throughout the bible.
All of us, (you and me), in our sin, go our own way; and we are the prodigals in our heart every time we make our own selfish choices. We rebel against the way life was meant to be lived, and choose our own ways instead of God’s. Yet, as Jesus told the story and shows God’s heart, He decides that instead of just getting rid of us, He wants us to have a chance at redemption by forgiving us, taking us back as though we had never sinned. He eyes see us when we are lost, but looks for us until we are found.
Pretty amazing!
But He doesn’t stop there. The way God redeems us and shows us forgiveness… Is giving us a chance to have a personal relationship with Him!
And finally, He writes His story more lovingly and creates place for us to come home to, a beautiful perfect place where there will be “No more tears”.
God looks down on you and me, after our display of rebellious independence, and calls us home to a loving embrace of a parent and a perfect vision of home…Heaven.
So as parents of us prodigals, the question I have for you, is NOT,
What are you doing to insure that your sons don’t become prodigals…
BUT instead,
What are you doing to create a home in which a prodigal would feel the need and freedom to return home?
Just as a heads up, all of us sons will fall short, we will rebel and we will, in at least some sense of the word, make our selves prodigals.
BUT if you are diligent in making a beautiful home, and a place that will call us back to who we are meant to be, the same song God sings to all of us. We will return to your loving arms of redemption, without fail.
Nathan, my actor, singer, songwriter, sparkling son!
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Join Sarah Mae and me today as we start our online group study for our new book, Desperate!
Today we will start with the Introduction!
wow. this is powerful. I have never thought about what called the prodigal home. thank you for writing and capturing this.
What a fantastic post, lots to think about and has given me inspiration to do that for my young son, thank you. Blessings. Tara (The Proverbs 31 Sanctuary)
Loved this!!!!! We currently have a wayward son. Guess where he’s working, Sally? One of the Apple stores in Denver. I’m praying that somehow Nathan and Joshua meet!!!
His
Shari
Joel, my first son, works at Aspen Grove in Denver. Where is Josh? He is leaving there, soon, to work in Co Springs Briargate Store, however.
He’s at Park Meadows. Praying somehow they can meet! Or if you are near there, maybe you’ll meet him! His love of the world has gotten strong. He is questioning everything he has ever held dear. But i KNOW that God has got this in His hands.
His
Shari
God is so sovereign! It was one of those days, yesterday, that I silently wept as I rocked my youngest to sleep, crying out to God about (another) rough day I had with my son. My beautiful baby boy acted out yesterday in sin in a way I had never witnessed before and, as I sat sobbing, I prayed for his heart, his choices, his awareness that the Lord will never leave him. Thank you, Nathan, for this beautiful article. For reminding me, as a mother, that I cannot redirect his path of his decisions, but to serve him in love and grace and prayer so that when he is gone, he finds solace and God when we steps back into our home. What a blessing you are to me, today. God bless you.
What an insightful perspective on this well told parable. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us Nathan and encouraging us to create homes of love, peace, warmth and most of all grace.
Thanks for sharing. As parents we might never know our part in ensuring that the children come back home.
What a great and wise perspective! Thanks for sharing your take on this, Nathan! My children are little and it’s good to look ahead and be purposeful NOW to create that loving atmosphere!!!
Nathan,
This is a wise and beautiful and brave piece of writing – and yes, it is always love that calls us home.
and Sally,
thank you for inviting Nathan to share with us, to show this insight into the spiritual benefit of offering loving grace within the family – how it is not about perfect behaviour, but about each one knowing they are fully loved.
My favorite part of the prodigal story?
Luke 15:20 – ‘…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him…’
It’s as if the father was looking and longing for him to come home along! Incredible.
This:
“Essentially, my reason for choosing to leave my prodigal tendencies in the past, to return home to my loved ones… Was having loved ones and a home worth returning to.”
My focus for this year is homemaking – and all that falls under that for me…mothering, homeschooling. And these words urge me onward in this. Thank you.
Kind blessings,
Kate
Nate, I am in awe of your article, your insight and ability to understand and convey your thoughts. Well done. You have given all of us something to think about, not only as parents but grandparents as well. Thank you. I told Mr. Bert I was seeing a maturity about you that I had not seen before. We are very proud of you for stepping out and making your voice heard.
“It was the warm meals, good conversation and the personal connection I missed..“..what a relief!!!! I think, I truly think, I can manage that, as a mom of a 15-year-old — the first son whose become a teenager. How encouraging, how inspiring to read about this from a son’s perspective! I thought I’d need some superpowers to be a great mom of a boy becoming man. I thought I might lose him if I don’t become a physics expert or an athelete or a lover of the same music. But what a relief to read your words! I’m sure i can manage a warm meal, a good conversation and a hug!
What an encouraging and inspiring article, Nathan! Thank you! I’m saving it under my “Encouragement for Motherhood” tab to re-read on those challenging days. I have three young boys and a little girl. It’s exciting to think of what kind of men (and woman) they will grow into and I hope and pray that they will have the same faith, and insight that you seem to have. Your post also encourages me in my faith, reminding me of the loving grace we have in our heavenly Father, and also in my high calling as a mother and homemaker, realizing again how important my job is. Blessings to you, and please continue in your work to bless and encourage others…parents and children alike.
Oh, this brought tears to my eyes. Many years ago I was the prodigal son ( Daughter ) and was turned away when I asked to come back home. That taught me that I would need to learn to offer grace to my own children someday. And I believe going through that is was has made me have such a good relationship with my children now. Lessons come in many forms. It would have been nice to have a loving home to return too. But I am so glad I have that now and I can offer that now myself.
Thank you
Thank you for this amazing post. I am mom of a prodigal son. Sometimes he’s coming home for a while. After his coming we often lack money. I want to be such a mom as you … And yes, I give him every time a warm welcome. Chatting, something tasty baking. But I’m always so alert .
Thats why your blog is touhing me. (My son lives in a special home for autistic boys)
i am so grateful for this new study in “desperate.” Feel like someone finally wrote reality. THANK YOU!
Thank you for this post today as well… in coordination w book.
LOVED comment “What are you doing to create a home in which a prodigal would feel the need and freedom to return home?” WOW! While this is still some mama guilt to work on, I pray for my children to WANT to return home to me, everyday already, even as young ones.
Thank you for such an encouraging post Nathan. I have 5 grown children – 3 following the Lord and 2 currently wandering. But, they know, beyond a doubt, they are loved. I will never stop praying, loving and trusting in the One who loves them far more than I ever could. His love, and ours, will draw them back. God bless you.
Dear Sally,
I feel desperate in regards to my “Nathan” right now. He is only 11. I am crying as I am writing. We keep trying different things to help modify his behaviors. Sometimes they work, but not for long. We are stuck in so many relational ruts.
I know it’s his heart not his modified behavior that I really want, but that doesn’t seem to work either. I feel like I’m banging my head against the wall. Thank you to your Nathan for this post. Praying for fresh perspective here and strenght to make it through each day.
Love,
Michelle
Update: My dear husband came home to a teary wife. He said, “It’s like trying to watch a tree grow.” “Is he more mature than he was when he was seven?” After a lengthy pause and a bit of reflection I admitted that, “Yes, he is more mature.”
An hour later my “Nathan” came into the kitchen and said, “Mom, I’m sorry I made this day more difficult.” He said, “I’ll try to do better tomorrow.” *sigh* Big Hug. For my part I will try to make our home a place of beauty and love ~ ever calling him home.
I absolutely love this. God reveals his Word in so many ways to us…each as individuals. God was speaking to me just this week about why I always return to Him when I have failed or sinned. Because of His love and relationship. His grace and forgiveness. This is what will keep my children is my relationship with them and God’s love pouring through me. Nothing is greater. That is even why they will respond godly to discipline…my relationship with them. This post just gives me deeper conviction and confirmation of what God spoke to me this week. It also gives me hope because it is from a child who grew up in that loving relationship. I will keep this post in my journal.
Nathan, you obviously have wisdom beyond your years. That is a very powerful piece of writing. Thank you for sharing your own struggles and perspective on that story. I think we do have a tendency to miss looking at it from that angle. And the question you posed at the end is SO important for every parent to ask themselves -
“What are you doing to create a home in which a prodigal would feel the need and freedom to return home?”
Thank you for causing me to stop and think about that, and I hope that many other parents also stop and give that careful consideration!
Sally, thank you for your years of careful, intentional love and effort (and learning from the mistakes too, as it all plays a part!) that has been poured into your children, which has brought them to the point of also spreading wisdom and encouragement.
I am a prodigal mom, but my two prodigals are daughters (24 and 23). I never thought this would be a part of my life. Yesterday I said that, and someone told me, “but it’s the life you have, so you have to live it”. I pray for the day my two come home. thanks for the encouragement.
Wow very timely!! Praise God….