Thoughts on the Prodigal and his family
Have you ever thought about what home life might have been for the Prodigal Son before he ran off with his inheritance?
In my mind, there was likely a lot of discouragement, harsh words, disrespect, and family dysfunction going on. I can imagine that at the point where the prodigal walked out of the front door these words might have been a reality, “I am tired of living here. You are all crazy and to be honest I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to leave more than I do right now. Dad, give me my inheritance now so that I never need to come back here again.”
“Son, I am tired of your blaming me for all of your problems. I am sick of the way you come home and tear things up around here. I think our family would be a lot better off without you anyway. Here’s your money. Take it! Unless you change your life, don’t come back here.”
This was probably the end of a string of bickering, fighting, blaming, and all kinds of uncomfortable circumstances for the entire family. I’m sure they all felt some relief when he left. But as with most families, there is a love bond that won’t let up when the prodigal leaves. Sure in the beginning there was relief but in reality, the desire for a better family very likely brought this father to his knees quickly.
When the prodigal came home he was probably at the end of his rope too. He was tired of his own ways and the consequences of his actions weighed heavy on his heart. But he came home to a different dad. In his prayers at the end of the road God had entered his dad’s heart just as he had entered into the son’s heart.
It is at the quiet place in the storms of our lives that God changes things. I think that this dad did some changing. It is evident in the response he had to his son to bless him. I am sure that when his son left, the dad wasn’t in the blessing mood just as the son wasn’t in the honoring mood at that time.
Relationships often reveal our worst characteristics. It is in the grappling of relationships that God does some of his finest work! In the end, all benefited from the sin choices of each party. This is truly, everything working to the good of those who are called, and according to His purposes.
