Reading
But the father said to his slaves, “Hurry! Bring the best robe, and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate, because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!” So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:22-24 (NET)
Reflection
One of the hard lessons of being a stepparent is learning that you don’t define the relationship—the children do. Your job is to love unconditionally, but it is totally up to the kids to decide if they will love you back and invite you into some kind of relationship.
When I first married Prudy, I gained two stepdaughters. The girls were respectful and kind, but the relationship we would share was still being created.
One night our oldest daughter Tiffany called home from a party. At that point, when the girls called, they always wanted their mom. I figured Tiffany wanted permission to stay late, so I offered to pass the phone to her. But Tiffany said, “No, I want to talk to you.”
It seems some of the people at the party had started doing things Tiffany knew were wrong. We talked it out, and I went and picked her up—just me, without Prudy. On the way home, I told her how proud I was of her. I was also grateful for the invitation to have a deeper relationship with Tiffany. Now, nearly forty years later, Tiffany and I still talk about the deep things of life almost every day.
As Brandon preached Sunday, he helped me think of the father in the parable in another way. Of course, the father was thrilled to see his son return home safely. But I think he was also glad his son turned to him for help and that they would have an opportunity to restore and deepen their relationship.
When we turn to God in our brokenness, God also rejoices that we have opened the door to a deeper relationship with Him.
Prayer
Dear God, today I confess to you my brokenness. I fall into your arms in total trust. I know that you love me. I know that you will restore me. Amen.
