Parenting adult children can feel like holding a kite in high wind— you want them to soar, but you’re scared of the crash. Jesus knew that feeling—as demonstrated in His story about a father who loved two grown sons: one reckless, one resentful.
“A certain man had two sons… and the younger said, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood” (Luke 15:11–12). The younger son’s demand was a shocking insult in Jewish culture. Yet the father, in mercy, let him go.
Love sometimes means loosening the reins, even when we can see the cliff ahead. That word prodigal means “wastefully extravagant.” When the prodigal finally hit rock bottom, knee-deep in pig slop and regret, “he came to himself” (Luke 15:17) and headed home. “While he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.’ “ (Luke 15:2223) The dad didn’t lecture or shame. Why? Because parenting at any age isn’t about control; it’s about character—the heart of godly parenting: Parents equip their children to grow as godly adults by sacrificially living out their faith. The son’s repentance was matched only by the depth of his father’s love.
While the party music played, the older brother sulked outside, lost in bitterness. “He was angry and would not go in.” (Luke 15:28) His obedience had turned into entitlement. But the father’s gentle rebuttal still stands: “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31) The same is true for us. God doesn’t just forgive the rebellious; He restores the resentful. He’s a Father who calls us all home, whether we’ve run away or walled ourselves off.
God’s message to the wanderer is the always the same: “Return and repent.” (Romans 2:4) No shame from the Father, just salvation through the Son. Run home to the One who’s been waiting for you all along—robe ready, ring shining, feast prepared.
You’ll find that same kind of welcome at LECC, 415897 Highway 9, Eufaula with small-group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday-night activities for all ages at 6:30 p.m. This week, join us for our Friendsgiving dinner at 5 p.m. Sunday, November 16 in the gym, followed by a youth-led 6 p.m. worship service in the sanctuary.
There’s a seat for you—and the Father’s still waiting with open arms.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
