Over a year ago, I sat in the Starbucks in Burleson where I received an email asking if it were 'too late' for my son to come home, an email from Ukraine that brought joy. Last week, I sat in that very same Starbucks without much joy. I sat with a friend, a woman older than I and more experienced and has had her own prodigal. She was a lifeline for me and had some important things to say. Thought I'd share them with you:
*Apparently, the prodigal son story in the Bible is translated a little nicer than was actually meant. The prodigal literally said/implied to his father, "I wish you were dead."
*The prodigal's father looked down the road for him every single day, expecting him to come back. I/we should expect our prodigal to come back, too.
*All prodigals have to 'get their fill' of what it is they want. They have to be totally sick of having everything they want.
*Love unconditionally....no matter what. Love without strings attached---of course, that doesn't mean we ever condone or enable....just love without asking questions.
*Think of the price Jesus paid for us, shouldn't we be willing to pay the same price for our kids/prodigal?
*By going through these experiences with our prodigal, I/we will tap into the very heart of Jesus in a way that those who do not walk this path can never do.
*Someday, someday maybe far away, but someday, he and I will be closer than we could have ever been had we not walked this path.
My Starbucks tears got me through another day. Not one day has gone by that I don't sob at some point, or even scream with anguish, but the days do go by. And I just keep hoping for that someday, someday far away.
(yes, a little communication has happened, a little, bitty, tiny glimmer of hope for the future has come, oh, so very, very little, but at least it is a little more than nothing)
*Apparently, the prodigal son story in the Bible is translated a little nicer than was actually meant. The prodigal literally said/implied to his father, "I wish you were dead."
*The prodigal's father looked down the road for him every single day, expecting him to come back. I/we should expect our prodigal to come back, too.
*All prodigals have to 'get their fill' of what it is they want. They have to be totally sick of having everything they want.
*Love unconditionally....no matter what. Love without strings attached---of course, that doesn't mean we ever condone or enable....just love without asking questions.
*Think of the price Jesus paid for us, shouldn't we be willing to pay the same price for our kids/prodigal?
*By going through these experiences with our prodigal, I/we will tap into the very heart of Jesus in a way that those who do not walk this path can never do.
*Someday, someday maybe far away, but someday, he and I will be closer than we could have ever been had we not walked this path.
My Starbucks tears got me through another day. Not one day has gone by that I don't sob at some point, or even scream with anguish, but the days do go by. And I just keep hoping for that someday, someday far away.
(yes, a little communication has happened, a little, bitty, tiny glimmer of hope for the future has come, oh, so very, very little, but at least it is a little more than nothing)
This is beautiful wisdom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good friend - her words are both wise and compassionate. Thanks for sharing this with your readers...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Susan in Ky
Cousin to 2 from U.
God, please, if You will:
ReplyDeleteGrant Marsha rest from the twisting flurry and the voices of unrest in her head.
Grant her protection from Satan's attacks.
Grant her sanity during this time and from here forward.
Grant her health and healing from any and every mental disturbance.
Grant her health and healing from any and every physical, mental, and emotional attack her body may be under at this time.
Give her the tools, the strength, and the armor to throw off any spiritual attack during this time.
Give her new and keen discernment during this time, to be able to recognize and discern truth.
Send Your Holy Spirit to illuminate her mind and heart, to make real to her Your Truths.
Give her Your vision, Your eyes, Your perspective, even Your perspective of her dear son.
Protect all in her family from mental, emotional, and psychological attack.
Grant to her son a time of spiritual growth and maturing, solidarity in Your truth, the ability to discern what is Godly, and a vision of Your perspectives distinct from his own understanding.
In Jesus' name,
With thanks.
I guess I'd just remind you to remember that it is not about you. It is about what he learned before he ever met you. He can't quite believe in love, because of his first experiences with love that was terribly flawed.
ReplyDeleteAll you can do is try to teach him through your own outpouring, and patience, and consistency.