Have you imagined it? Have you thought about what that day looks and feels like? You know - The day when the reunion takes place, and the power of estrangement crumbles! Have you rehearsed it? The father in the story of the prodigal son did. Scripture tells us that The Father was looking for the return of his son. In Luke 15, verse 20, we see that the son “got up and went to his father - but while he was a 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.”
The only way the father could have saw his son from a long way off, is if he was intentionally looking for the reunion! So I ask again - How have you imagined it? What have you rehearsed?
Have you rehearsed acceptance?
Have you rehearsed giving him or her a piece of your mind?
Have you envisioned an open heart and arms in a way that speaks to their IDENTITY?
The father had been wronged! He was pretty much told by the son that he wanted his inheritance, meaning he wished his father was dead! That’s pretty harsh! But notice that the father only acted in a way toward s his son, that spoke to his son’s need for identity. “Bring the best robe and put it on him. Bring a ring and put on his finger. Bring sandals for his feet! Let’s celebrate this homecoming!” ALL THESE THINGS SPEAK ABOUT IDENTITY, ACCEPTANCE, AND BELONGING! It’s what we all long for.
Scripture tells us to “Bless those who persecute us; Bless and Do Not Curse!” The father of this prodigal surely had a reason to feel harmed, and to hold his son at arms length. He could have scolded, he could have commented on the sure smell of swine coming from his son. (He had been tending hogs) He could have asked where all the money went. But he blessed his son instead!
As a parent or partaker in an estranged relationship, will you bless or curse the situation by the words you speak? What does scripture encourage us to say in times like this?
It says, “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4). A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” (Proverbs 16:24)
So! Go ahead and imagine it! Rehearse it! Envision it! Look beyond what you see with your physical eyes - Let compassion rise within you! Prepare your words - Prepare your heart, because God is doing a good thing in families!