Letter to a Prodigal

I have to write this to remember the words from a mom writing to her prodigal son. Read this.

I’m pretty much a wreck now, thanks KD Sullivan, and thanks Brett Andrews for an incredible sermon that used this letter as part of his illustration for God’s unstoppable, unrelenting reconciliation. Watch this. If God would welcome Manasseh back, wouldn’t he take us too?

Do my daughters know how many sleepless nights we had (have) as parents? Can it be that this is part of your plan Lord to refine us even further? Parenting is hard, or at least it is at times when so many other stresses and strains are pulling at the imperfect adults who wear the titles mom and dad. How I long for the day when God reconciles everyone back to himself, no more tears, no more pain. Unending joy. That day things will make sense.

Last night we sang three songs, each with an impossible truth that reveals God’s incredible love for his children:

• 139, by David Moore. Based on Psalm 139, one line in this song asks the question I struggle with, honestly, I have an incredibly hard time sincerely asking God to search me, to see if anything displeases him, but that is my Heavenly Father with arms open for literally everyone.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

• How He Loves, by David Crowder, drives home the incredible thought that God, the Almighty, the Creator loves me. So many days that’s just hard to comprehend. I believe the truth, but it’s difficult to see at times. It’s messy as Grant Collins reminded us last night. And I’m so glad Beth chose to sing the original words,

Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way He loves us.

• Grace to Grace, by Joel Houston/Chris Davenport, reminds us that Jesus paid it all again and again and again.

My chains are gone
My debt is paid
From death to life
and grace to grace

Thank you Lord Jesus for the way your poured yourself out for us. Help us to share this incredible great news!