The Prodigal Project

Let’s Keep Loving Them Home

Are you a parent of a prodigal? Has your child walked away from the Kingdom of Light and stepped into a world of darkness? Did they turn away from the truth and followed the way of lies? 

Do not fret. There is hope. A prodigal is one who sat at the King’s table, feasted on the King’s Words, and is a child of the Father. They know truth and truth will set them free. They just have to sink to the bottom before they start their climb up. 

Proverbs 22:6 encourages us with these words, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”  The Word that you instilled in them is still present. As promised, that Word will not return void. It will do the work it was sent forth to do. 

As I awaited the return of my prodigal, I learned that the wait wasn’t just about his transformation, it was about mine as well. The person I needed to become was not the person he left. Here are seven strategies that empowered me during personal change. When the time came to embrace my son and welcome him home, I was prepared to go the distance with him. 

 

1.  I stopped being a victim. What my child chose to do was not a reflection of me. These were personal decisions he made without seeking my guidance or council. I realized that though he may had taken a downward spiral, I needed to remain in the high places positioned, focused, and connected.

Romans 8: 28 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

 

2. I stopped being religious. Religion is the death of relationship. Jesus was all about the sinners. He was challenged by the religious for eating with them. Yet, they were who he came for. 

Luke 15: 1-2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3. I was not afraid of the darkness. I could not fret over the negative influences in my son’s life. I began to claim the for the Kingdom of God too!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

 

4. I prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more. I allowed Holy Spirit to continue His work in me. I wanted to grow my faith through this situation not just go through it.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

5. I loved, loved, loved unconditionally. Even during his season of rebellion, I looked for ways to create beautiful new memories with my son. He was my child and always would be. I remembered the promises God made concerning him. When I looked at him, I chose not to see the sin, rather see my child of promise and purpose. 

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

 

6. I put him in God’s hands and left him there. Even though most of the time I did not know where my son was, God knew. The best thing I could do was continue to walk in my Kingdom assignments (aka my Father’s business) and let Him take care of mine. Christ saw what I could not see, and He interceded for me and my son. 

Hebrews 7:25 Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who come to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

 

7. I continued to look into the distance one more time. Each day I told myself, “This could be the day.” Then one day, it was! Because I continued to pray, love, and be faithful, the Father would share His secrets with me. He let me know what He knew. That increased my faith even more as I looked into the distance waiting for my son’s return. 

Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.

 

Be encouraged as you continue to wait. Allow Holy Spirit to do the work in you so He can do the greater work through you. Be the face and arms of Jesus that receives your child and embraces them as they make their return. Grow in your situation as you keep loving them home.

Here’s to the greater things to come.  It’s a good time to be you!

 

Peace and Joy,

Angela