Bring Them Back: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistryMuestra

IT'S MY OWN FAMILY: IT'S ONE OF MY CHILDREN

Every parent feels rejected by his or her children at some point, and rejection always leaves wounds. It is one thing, however, to see your children squander money, drop out of school, or hook up with a high-risk boyfriend or girlfriend. It is far more devastating to see your children appearing to reject Jesus Christ.

You trained the child right. You taught her to pray. You took him to Sunday school and worship. But now you have a prodigal. What do you do?

When your prodigal son or daughter has stopped listening to you, you have to give him or her to the Lord and let him use whatever tough-love therapy he thinks necessary. Not all pain is destructive--some is therapeutic. The Lord sometimes allows his dear ones to be hurt to bring them to their senses.

The father in Jesus' heart-rending parable patiently waited for his prodigal son: "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" (Luke 15:20). As long as they're alive, there's hope.