The Loving Father/parent of the Biblical Prodical Son

In the Biblical version of the prodigal son, I find a loving and compassionate father. As a parent, friend, volunteer of youth, I find great wisdom and advise about raising and working with children in these stories.

In Luke 15:25-33, I find a loving father who allows both sons to live out their life as they choose, not as he chooses. He appreciates and loves the son who stays by his side, and he also yearns for the return of the son who has moved away. I love that he does not judge either son, and he generously gives them both all that he has. He does not chose one over the other, he seems to accept and love them both despite the breaking of societal norms and the reactions of others about their behavior. He doesn't seem to expect them to be anything other than who they are.

The father is so secure in his own identity that he his not shamed or thwarted by the behavior of his children. He openly and confidently allows, accepts, forgives, and loves his children unconditionally, despite their actions. He sees only their Oneness with him.

I have witnessed families who have been torn apart because children have not met the 'expectations' of the family. The children have been disowned, ridiculed and belittled because they have stepped out of the status quo, acted "inappropriately" or have "ruined the family name". This is very difficult to watch. For me this is a sense of false pride and personal insecurity on the part of the parent.

(Now my kids have not challenged me in this area, it is my hope that when and if this occurs, I will follow the lead of this father but we'll see. All I can say today is but for the Grace of God go I.)

The parents in these situations seem to gain their identities from their children. They are enmeshed and believe that their children are a reflection of themselves. They are embarrassed and ashamed which is an easy trap in which to fall. It is important for parents to practice letting go and letting God. Simple but not easy.

I personally believe it is the fathers willingness to let go of his son and allow him to fall and to be, that opened the door for his return.

There is a saying, If you love someone, let them go; if they come back to you, they are yours; if not, they never were. Could this be the idea of free will. God gave us all free will, loving us enough to let us go and do our own thing confident that we all will return to our Source- The Creator of the Universe. What is true love, if it is forced love? Love freely given and freely received is True Love.

The "Good and Obedient Son or the Martyr"

Let's continue the story of the Prodigal son. In Luke 15:25-33, we find the older brother hears the sound of music and dancing and asks a servant, "what is happening?" The servant tells him that his father has slaughtered a calf because his brother has returned home.

This angers the brother and he refuses to join in the party. His father comes and pleads with him to come in and celebrate. The son replies, "I have been here day and night working and serving you. And not once did you slaughter a calf for me and my friends.

The father goes on to say, "You have always been with me and what I have is yours, but we must celebrate because your brother has returned."

The message I find in this story is a son who stays with his father because it is safe and it is expected. He doesn't move out of the status quo and have his own experience. He doesn't question, he just stays with what he knows. Now this is neither good or bad, but when the brother becomes resentful, it tells me, he has been out there plowing the fields angry and jealous of his brother. He wishes he could go and do, but no-he is the "responsible one" and stays behind. This is a life not lived.

He also never asked that his dad slaughter a calf. While he was in the Kingdom, he forgets that everything around him is his. He is surrounded by blessings and riches yet, he never partakes of them. He does not ask, he just wishes. He really never is the responsible one, he is the martyr. He is a prisoner in his own mind. He is bound by his own expectations and lives a life of poverty in the land of abundance.

He is here to teach us to live life to the fullest. If you are in a job or even a relationship that you are feeling victimized, ask yourself, "Am I asking for what I need or am I assuming they will read my mind?" If you are asking and are not getting what you require, you may consider leaving and moving on. However, if you are not asking you may want to try it.

Learn to live a life with the words, I choose to be here, I choose to serve here, I choose to work here. This empowers you because you can make another choice. If you believe and say, "I 'have' to be, server, or work here, you are a slave without choices. You are in a self-imposed prison.

Remember, "Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open." These are all action words that lead ; to happiness. God designed the world to supply all of our needs, Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly; abundant joy, happiness and peace. If you are not happy, change your thinking. This is our inheritance, Claim It!