The Prodigal Son . . .

Long story- sorta, if you care . . . . . .

Ever just meet someone that you could tell was broken inside? My pal Mindy once said that she often envisioned what it would be like if people wore the sign around their necks that explained the burden on their backs like, "My heart is broken" or "my child is sick" or "I'm getting a divorce". Well, I know for sure that I have worn a sign in my lifetime and it sure does feel good when you wake up one day and are able to hang that sign up . . . for good.

But I met a woman last night, who walked in with pain in her eyes and a smile on her face. The kind of smile that takes every ounce of energy to keep lit. With the kind of conversation that seems rehearsed. She knows what not to say, so she won't find herself melting into a puddle on the floor. Generally, these people with a sign on their back, actually want to talk about it and may not want advice but would love an ear.

I was working a Mary Kay Party at a girlfriend's house and she was the first guests of 3 to arrive. So with just the general beginnings of a conversation "Where do you live", "How do you know Kelly?" & "Do you have kids" . . .WHAM! That was the one, she barely got out "yes, I have 3 boys" without choking up. I knew this was a conversation that would be playing out all evening.

Well, providentially (not coincidentally) the other two guests both called to say they would not be coming after all- so that left me, the hostess, and this woman (who come to find out has probably met Jesus, but cannot truly say that she knows Him). They actually only got a very abbreviated version of my MK Skin Care Class because we kept talking and laughing and moving off topic for sure . . . but when I was finished we moved to sofa and talked like old friends. And this woman, who was supposed to be a guest at a MK sales event, opened up her soul and shared the pains that her oldest son (19 yrs) has brought the family- poor choices, hard truths for the parents, disappointed little brothers, and a final goodbye.

I told her about a NP sermon series called Fight Club, and Kelly said she would get it for her this Sunday. And we talked about Louie's messege last week on the Prodigal Son. And she knew the part about the boy returning after all he had done to his father, and I told her how Louie painted a picture of a broken boy & a joyous father who literally RAN to his son and probably smothered him with kisses. I bet it seems like an impossible dream to her.

My heart began to hurt as she unraveled the last two years of difficulties that she and her husband have had with their stubborn and running eldest. She explained the pain-actual physical pain- of laying your head down at night and not knowing where you son is . . . your baby boy . . . out there making decisions that he knows will destroy him as sure as it has broken his family. I really only had an ear to offer and a sympathetic mommy's heart. It was 11:00 when I left and all the way home I prayed for that woman and her boy and her broken-hearted husband and the two younger sons . . . . and for Preston!

I beg my God to protect my children from the evil one- who will pry into their lives through friends & fashion & music & culture & desire & greed & popularity . . . . . . . . but I also believe that He will empower me to model for them a life worth living, and a God worth knowing. And this old camp praise song came to me on the ride home- "to know and follow hard after you". It's now the prayer I have adopted for myself to model for babies:

Give me one pure and holy passion,

and give me one magnificent obsession

Give me one glorious ambition for my life,

to know and follow hard after You

To know and follow hard after You.

To grow as Your disciple in the truth.

This world is empty, pale and poor

Compared to knowing You, my Lord

Lead me on and I will run after You

Lead me on and I will run after You

"Father, protect these children and help me to know that they are Yours and not mine. Teach them to hear you clearly. Help them to see you fully, and if they must run . . . call them to run and follow hard after YOU!"