Due to many influences, there are young people raised in Christian families who struggle with their faith as they search for “maturity”. This article is designed to help parents walk through this troublesome and often, discouraging times. Not every child faces these challenges.

This article is for these who do, and for those who wish to help them.

Let’s examine the Parable of the Lost Son from Luke 15: 11-22

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’

So the party began.

Has it ever struck you that your response wouldn’t be the same as this father’s? For whatever reason, the father decided that his son’s journey was something he had to allow. He had to take 1/3 of his estate and give it to his young, irresponsible son. He allowed this son to take his portion with the risk of wasting the money the father had earned on wild living. Not an easy thing to do. There are times when a parent must allow a child to do what he knows is not wise, so the son will learn through his actions. We find the father did not interfere with the son while he was in the distant land. He did not go and rescue him from his condition or plead with him to return with promises of help. He left him alone. This can be very difficult, in particular to mothers. Our natural tendency is to help our children avoid pain. We get worried about whom our children are with, what they are doing and fear takes hold. We even seek natural solutions to spiritual battles.

But this wise father allowed his son to suffer the natural consequences of his actions. (This is wisdom.) The son learned about fickle friends, natural disasters and job hunting. His heart and thoughts turned back to the truth of his home life. He began to see that things were better there than what he could bring about himself.

He also began to remember his father. The thoughts of his father and how his father treated his own hired men began to weigh on his heart. He remembered how his father responded and reacted to things. Parents, children watch how we treat others. They learn about our heart and how we may respond to them in difficulties when they listen to our discussions about others in trouble. Your attitudes and responses to others may lead them back to you, or it may keep them away.

Finally when the son made the journey back, the father was watching for him. During the time of his absence, he thought about how he would respond when his son returned. Many parents spend their time angry and hurt. They rehearse the stupid actions of their children over and over in their hearts. This father had a plan. He knew exactly what he would do when his son returned. He did not wait to hear what his son “had to say for himself”, but he ran to greet and embrace his son. He called for the robe (many consider to have been the father’s own best robe); the signet ring of the family, and sandals for his feet. Sandals were not worn by hired servants, but only by the family. During the time children are away, parents need to be careful not to allow resentment; bitterness and anger build walls of greater separation. The father had to bear disappointment, financial limitations, and his reputation was dealt a big blow, but he did not allow those things to stand between him and the timely restoration of his relationship with this son.