This post came as a comment last week on the parable of the prodigal son … and I know many of you would like to see it if you haven’t already. This came from Attie over in South Africa and we look forward to meeting him personally in a month.
This parable will never be the same for me.
I lost my oldest child when she ran away at the age of 20 after a disagreement (not even very serious) between the two of us regarding her lifestyle. She was a brilliant child in high school (15th out of 400), but could not complete her first year at University. When I confronted her, I knew I was taking a risk as I had seen the rebellion in her eyes. She left during the night and disappeared for two years.
On Sunday night 13 February 2005 after church the door bell rang and in front of me stood my oldest child, the love of my heart. She was home. Only God knows how I waited and prayed and cried for those two years.
She settled, got a job and have changed jobs three times in the last three years every time to double her salary. She completed her first year of studies and will do her second year per correspondence this year. She eats with us every Sunday, and every Sunday we celebrate. Every Sunday as we pray we thank God for our children and for being a family.
I came to know God as my Father and Jesus as my Saviour when I was twenty three years of age. After this experience with my daughter I understand how God risked, waited and celebrated for this Eikon to return to the the One who made Him. My prayer today is that I may be a worthy representative of my Maker and that our relationship will be a ever increasing relationship of love.