Let the Children Come to Me (Part 8): When the Door Opens

God’s work in the hearts of others, especially our children, may be so subtle that we miss it when it happens.  Watch for the open door.

Recently, my son called and talked for an hour about what was going on in his life.  We shared difficult things and good things.  This is our pattern, for which I am very grateful.  Then something happened that I almost missed.  It was about 9:00 PM, and I assumed we were about done.  But when I went to close the conversation, he wanted more details about our recent vacation.  This launched into another hour of discussion and finally at 10:10 PM, we said goodnight.  I can’t remember a phone conversation with him as long as that.  It seems he had a deep desire for community, with me as that community.  It was an open door to a new level.  

God has done slow, steady work in his life and in our relationship.  But we are now at a place where we can talk about almost anything.  Only God could have done this.

Here is another example: Our friend’s daughter was once completely estranged from her parents, but through prayer and the steps outlined previously in this series, they have built a relational bridge.  She recently lost her job and hasn’t found a new one.  Her roommate told her that if she couldn’t pay rent she would need to leave.  So, left with very few choices, she called her parents and asked to move back home.  She is still there.  But what has happened in the family relationship is precious.  Every night she comes into her parents’ bedroom, plops down on the bed and wants to talk for an hour or so.  She still has bad habits and cravings, but the relational door is wide open, and God is at work.

My wife loves to quote the following verse:

“But Jesus answered them, ‘My father is working until now, and I am working.’”  John 5:17

God never stops His work in people’s hearts; He always continues to draw them. 

Knowing this, I encourage you to look for the fingerprints of God in your relationship with your prodigal.  Seek to encourage the places that God is at work.  Don’t set yourself against them by bringing up past hurts or condemnation.  That’s God job, that’s His work.  And remember that no one is so “far away” that they are beyond the grace of God.  That’s the essence of the situation with the younger son in Jesus’ prodigal son parable.  The son looked up.  He remembered the goodness of God, His father.  And he knew he could come back home.

We have recently heard of two other incidents in which a parents’ relationship with children was stressed.  But when their children came back home for a visit, they had a wonderful time together.  The relationship was renewed, improved, perhaps even rebuilt.  Keep praying.  There is always hope.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

The ESV translation uses “reach repentance” here, which indicates a journey.  We all have a journey to find truth.  It is no different for a prodigal, even though their paths may be longer and much more difficult than the ones we had or would desire for them.  But like my wife says, God is always working.