After the Prodigal Returns
By Tracy Smith
So he got up and went
to his father.
But while he was 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 prodigal son returns contrite, the father welcomes him home
with open arms. Happy ending! But what happens next?
That question is explored in a recent fiction book series I read
by Susan May Warren. The series focuses on six siblings. One of them, Owen, is
the prodigal whose decisions have caused deep pain and chaos in his family. The
final book is his story as he makes his way back to God and his family.
I always just assumed after the prodigal son in the biblical
parable returned, and the older brother got over his frustration, everything
would be just fine for the prodigal. He’d be happy and content. I mean - - he’s home!
This book challenged my thinking. The following is an excerpt
from the book. Owen expresses how he’ll probably just mess up again and his
father responds:
“‘That’s about enough
of that…’ ‘So you made some bad choices. Some of God’s best players were His
imperfect, broken prodigals… He specializes in short-tempered, reckless, flawed
people to accomplish His plans. Consider Moses, the murderer; Rahab, the
prostitute; Samson, the playboy; Paul, the terrorist; and Peter…the impulsive.
God is constantly using broken, messy people to restore the world and bring
glory to Himself…And I’d bet they each thought God couldn’t use them before His
grace tracked them down, brought them back to His purposes. You can never
outrun God’s love…or limit what He can do with you if you let Him.” [1]
The prodigal was home and he was working on fixing the pain he
had caused, but instead of the immediate “happy ending” I had envisioned for
the prodigal, this was showing that it was a little more of a process; a
struggle to get the point of not questioning your every thought and trusting
where God could use you after all you’ve done wrong.
The father’s response is a great reminder to us that God can use
us all - - whether we have most of it (who has all?) together or
if we are broken, messy and working on getting ourselves back on track.
So, whether you are a returned prodigal or just someone trying
to figure out what you can do in God’s kingdom, take heart - - there is a place
for you!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What trait(s) do you struggle with that makes you think God
cannot use you? What can you do to change your thinking?
FURTHER READING:
Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is
a ministry assistant at Oakwood and a works with a great group of Junior High
girls.
[1] Susan May Warren, You’re
the One That I Want, Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.
