Not a Prodigal Identity

When reading the story of the prodigal son, most people say the younger son, the one who demands his inheritance early, is the 'lost son'. But prodigal by definition means "recklessly wasteful, or to squander." So this son, who is indeed lost by the father's own admission at the end of the story ("this son of mine who was once lost is now found"), has by his own choosing, lost his identity as a son of his father and instead taken on the identity of one who is reckless and wasteful. 

Not known, chosen, cherished or loved. 

And in the process of this pushing away from his father, he loses himself. He loses his purpose, his calling, and again, his very identity.

He has traded the life he once lived to become eventually become worthless, unimportant, and poor. 

But his loving father knows something he does not. That the world is not a nice place. And that despite his faults, his ill choices, he is still the son of his father. Nothing can change this. His status as his father's son does not change. The value that that very statement holds does not wane.

He is his father's child, who loves him with a love that is immeasurable.

So upon his return, what a surprise that his father would lavish him with such love, as to re-establish all that had been formerly lost. To draw him back to his side, and claim his identity has not been tarnished.

It's the same for us. When our poor choices push God away from us, he waits us out. When we figuratively wander the streets, looking for our next meal, and longing for the day when we were by God's side, He's there just waiting for us to return home. 

And upon that return? Re-uniting ourselves with Him, He re-establishes the connection we have assuring our identity in Him.

The Father-child identity.

A King's kid.

Authorized to stand before the throne.

Assured of the ability - the right - to ask for guidance and direction, comfort and protection.

Known. Chosen. Cherished. Loved.

Consider Peter

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." - Luke 22:31-32

Consider Peter here… Jesus calls him Simon instead of the name He gave him, the Rock, the one He would build His church on.

Satan has asked to sift them all like wheat. Peter and the others aren't even who God has intended for them to be. But they are on their journey, they are on their way. And it is noticed by Satan. How could he not see? And so like Job, he asks God if he can challenge them all. He can't see the future, but he has an inkling of an idea of what God could do through them.

"Can I put them through the wringer? Can I should you how weak they are? How they will fail you?"

He already had Judas. Why not go for the other eleven as well.

It seems to me that God said yes to this testing. Because Jesus says, “when you have turned back, strengthen your brethren."

Can you hear Jesus’ silent admission? You Peter, you are faithful. I know you’ll pass this test. I know that despite the stumble, you’ll be back. 

Failure is never failure if it grows us. Failure cannot define us. Failure can only temporarily weaken us. 

But failure can be meant to destroy us. It can be meant to be it our undoing. But the faithful, like Peter, find their way back. Stronger than before and then given the opportunity to strengthen others.

Consider Peter.

A Safe Space

Here I am again, writing just what comes to mind. It's been a bit since I've done this, a bit since I've done any sort of writing really. I kinda miss blogging. Not that I ever blogged on this space regularly, but I've had other blogs that I shared my family with.

No one really blogs any more. Oh there are those that blog for $$ but many of them were popular before blogging switched hands for facebook and other social media. Why take the time to read something well put together when you can read someone's brain vomit fast and quick and then move on to consume more?

I sound like I am whining but really I am not. I've gotten just as caught up on social media as the next person.

I just really wanted to practice my writing again and see where it leads...

Would You Sacrifice Your Isaac?

I was thinking about this the other day. How did Abraham do it? How could he take that journey? How could he make those preparations? How could he nearly follow through?

This task was a rough one. This calling, an impossibility. And yet, there he was, trusting God as he went. Knowing full well that God would handle the situation, no matter the outcome. God said it and he obeyed. Blindly he obeyed.

I don't think I could. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Not if it were one of my children. Thankfully, only one time in the Bible did God ask for such a task. And he not only asked for it from Abraham, but actually offered it in His own son.

I sit here and I wonder, what are you asking of me Lord? Is it an Isaac? Is it something so big that I have said no and not looked back, not even trusting that you are in control and can handle it. Or will you ask something similar of me someday? Will I be able to handle it then?

Have you? Could you?

Do We Have Compassion?

We have been challenged. Challenged to think about people other than ourselves. Those who have no voice and no advocate. We've been given a charge, but will we accept?

"Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Matthew 19:21

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
1 John 3:17-18

I could list a number of other verses that implore us to take action. All around us people are in need. Every corner of the globe there are those who cry out daily for help, for compassion. Do we have compassion? Will we have compassion? Can you look into the eyes of one of these children and say yes? God has blessed us with much, now I encourage you to go and share that blessing with others.

If you cannot support financially, will you pray? Pray that God would provide sponsors for these beautiful children. Pray that God will uplift their pastors and the church volunteers who give to these kids daily. Pray that their parents can find stable jobs and homes, clean water and food. Pray for hearts to be turned towards Jesus. Pray for compassion.

Sponsor a Child

I Am...

I am feeling like there's more. More that I should be doing, and praying that I can figure out what that is.

I am hoping that when I get to heaven, God will say that I completed at least most of the things He called me to do, and that I didn't tell Him "no" more often than I said "yes".

I am praying that my children will seek God with all their hearts.

I am in love with my husband. Day in and day out he's the man for me.

I am exploring writing.

I am setting goals.

I am trying to get my eyes off of the world and more on God. But reality shows me I have a lot to quit focusing on.

I am listening to our 22 year old cockatiel chirp and cannot believe I've had him since I was twelve! :)

I am trying to get more organized and failing horribly.

I am playing fantasy football again this year and hope to do better than last year.

I am glad the school year has started, but sad at the same time. Life just got a whole lot busier!

I am glad reading the book of Joshua and thinking, if it were possible to do it right, it would make for a great action mini series.

I am done with this post. :)

Compassion Blogging

I just signed up to blog for Compassion International this month. I'm not sure how much help I will be, since I just started this blog a few months ago and I haven't really posted much. Maybe this will help get the writing juices flowing and also help some kids at the same time.

My family and I love Compassion International and what they do to help children in need. We sponsor two children who are the same age and gender as our own children. We have recently set a goal to write to the kids each month. My children love this part and look forward to the letters from the kids we sponsor.

We often will look at a map to find the child's country and will sometimes look up information about their countries as well. This gives us something to ask questions about later. My kids are also learning in the process, but shhhhh... don't tell them that.

We have learned that drawings and pictures of our family are important to these kids so we will be doing our best to include these things in our letters as well. Getting to know these children through their letters and prayer requests has been a blessing to our family and it can be to yours as well.

Check out Compassion's blog here and see who you might be able to help today!