Ready? Set? Go!: How Parents of Prodigals Can Get On With Their Lives - Softcover

Hampton, Judy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1587364727 ISBN 13: 9781587364723

Publisher: Hats Off Books, 2005

Synopsis

In the Bible, a prodigal is someone who has walked away from God. Some are openly rebellious. Others are just passively indifferent to the things of God. If you are the parent of a progidal, chances are you feel heartbroken. You've put your life on hold. You've tried everything, but nothing works. You're weary of the gut-wrenching pain, and you've run out of answers.

Judy Hampton has both lived as a prodigal and experienced the trials of attempting to help a prodigal son. With warmth and compassion, she offers solid advice on how to stop enabling bad behavior, give your child to God, and get on with your life.

About this title

About the Author:

Judy Hampton is a contributing author of more than twenty-five books, including Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul and the Kisses of Sunshine series (for Women and Grandmas). Her first book, Under the Circumstances, comes with an eleven-week Bible study.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

I recently read this item in Christian Parenting Today magazine:

"While listening to the song 'Train Up a Child,' my daughter Emily asked me, 'What does train up mean?'

"I explained that it means to teach children about God and the difference between right and wrong.

"'Are you and Daddy training me up?' she asked.

"'We're trying to,' I said.

"Emily turned back to the stereo and muttered, 'We'll see about that.'"

That's a cute story, but it is also an eye-opening truth for parents. No matter how dedicated we are as parents, we are still raising a child who has a will of their own. Some stronger than others. Admittedly, there were times I wanted to "chain up my child," because I did not have control.

Parents can have great and grandiose plans for raising their children and teaching them right from wrong. However, eventually those children will grow into adolescents and then adults. They will be alone with their choices and decisions at one point or another. Unfortunately, a parent cannot make those choices for them.

The parable of the prodigal son is the most familiar and beloved of all Christ's parables. It is one of the longest and most detailed parables. It's about choices. It also has more than one lesson.

The first lesson is that all people come into this world separated from God because of their sin (Isaiah 59:1—2). Yet this parable speaks of God's love and eagerness to restore us to Himself and forgive us.

The second lesson is about two sons. Two kinds of prodigals. The younger son goes out and openly sins, eventually repents, and comes home to the father. The older son lives the principled, religious life. He doesn't do culturally bad things. He looks really good on the outside. But in his heart he is self-righteous, prejudiced, indifferent to repentant sinners, and spiritually dead. He himself is an unrepentant sinner, but he sees himself through prideful eyes. He's just counting on his good works for salvation, not God's finished work (Titus 3:4—5).

Whether you are struggling with an openly rebellious child or one who is passively indifferent to spiritual things, both are living independently from God.

The story of the prodigal son is found in the Book of Luke, Chapter 15, beginning with verse 11.

The younger son decides he'd like to leave home and see if the grass in really greener on the other side of the fence. His flesh is centered on gratifying himself and running his own life. However, to do this he needs some financing. So he goes to his dad and asks for an early inheritance. The truth is, this son is making a very unreasonable request. Why? He is putting his dad in a tight spot financially, not to mention the fact he is also breaking his dad's heart. Under Jewish law, the oldest son would receive two-thirds of the inheritance. The rest would go to the younger son upon the death of the father. This request is tantamount to saying he wishes his father were dead. But, like most prodigals, he is not thinking about his dad, or anyone else. He is only thinking about himself. And, like most parents, the father loves his son, and wants to make him happy. So he gives him the money.

Most parents I meet give money to their children out of pure motives and great love. What parents don't want to help their children?

However, the prodigal son takes the money, all his possessions, and leaves. He has no plans for returning home. He goes far away and lives a dissolute lifestyle. He probably goes far away so no one he knows will see him, especially his father. He is planning on doing things that are wrong. Imagine what it's like when he rolls into town with his pockets full of money. He probably makes some friends fast! So, they take advantage of him, and they live it up! The wild life! Not merely wasteful extravagance, but wanton immorality.

It should be pointed out that the prodigal didn't live in a terrible home. In fact, it seems like a very stable home. There is no account of any abuse. No divorce. No blended family. No step parents. No alcoholism. No financial strain. No abandonment. This home was filled with love, and the love of his father. This young man had everything he could possibly want, from a roof over his head to fine clothes. This home even had servants. There was also faith in this home. Maybe the father read the Scriptures to his family. But the son still wanted to leave and live it up!

About this edition

• Publisher: Hats Off Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1587364727
• ISBN 13: 9781587364723
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 140