A short preview from my upcoming book, Real Faith for a Real World: Transforming Trials into Triumphs

Maturity always involves a journey of self-discovery. My parents’ faith directed me toward God but could never substitute for my personal relationship with him. Many of us wander through the weeds searching for the Lord’s intended path for us. As distressing and challenging as our trek may be, watching our children struggle can be more painful. We long to embrace the prodigals in our lives, to advise and warn them about the pitfalls of a particular course of action. But they close their ears, certain we can’t fathom their needs.

Children may strike out for the far country, like the younger son in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. Or, like the older son, they may congratulate themselves on how well they follow the rules, oblivious to their self-righteousness. Either way, they miss the life-changing connection our loving Father longs to have with them. 

By definition, a prodigal is wasteful and short-sighted. Both offspring qualified. The younger son squandered his father’s money, while the elder son skipped opportunities for a closer relationship with his father. Both were blind to their father’s love and longing to embrace his prodigals.

Our children’s search drove my husband and me to our knees as we prayed the Lord would protect them from the evil without and the foolishness within. I beat back irrational worries by reminding myself that my loving God watched over their journeys.

We need God’s wisdom and grace to navigate this season of our relationships. Despite our mistakes, God remains faithful to reveal fresh dimensions of his love and mercy. 

Do you have a prodigal in your life? I’ve found the following advice helpful in guiding my steps on this challenging road.

9 Tips to Embrace Your Prodigal

1. Pray with patience, persistence, and thanksgiving. Even though our children may reject our counsel, argue with our beliefs, and shut us out of their lives, we can still embrace our prodigals in prayer.
2. Trust God. This journey isn’t only about our children but also about us. God may reveal our need for repentance or growth. He’s in the heart-changing business and working in and on all of us.
3. Monitor our minds. Entertaining worst-case scenarios destroys our peace. Replace worries with uplifting Scriptures.
4. Meditate on God’s promises. Submit to his wisdom and timing, avoiding any attempts to manipulate him or his Word to guarantee the outcome we desire.
5. Mind our mouths. Sharp tongues damage relationships. We can love our children without endorsing their way of life or trying to do the Holy Spirit’s job. Only he can produce genuine conviction and repentance.
6. Obey God in attitude and actions. Give him time and space to work. Exercise grace with mercy.
7. Keep the door open. Listen with our eyes and ears. Reject the temptation to control but refuse to compromise convictions.
8. Celebrate small steps of progress. The road is long and may include several switchbacks.
9. Persevere in faith, knowing we can’t see everything God is doing. Heart change takes time.

Wait with Hope

I can’t promise your story will have the ending you want, but I can assure you God is at work. We’re responsible for the possible, and he for the impossible. No matter where our child runs, God is already there, ready to embrace our prodigal. When we release our white-knuckle grip on our child’s life, God will do what only he can do. As we exercise his forgiving grace, he transforms damaged relationships into demonstrations of his love.

When he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 NASB)

9 Tips for Navigating the Journey: How to Embrace Your Prodigal by @NancyLucenay on Beyond the Front Door #Prodigal #Pray Share on X

What additional advice can you suggest based on what has helped you or someone you know? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share them in the Comments box at the bottom of the page. (If you don’t see the Comments box, click Read More and scroll down.)