The love of the Father

The love of the father

I’ve heard 1000 sermons on the prodigal son, and even more on the attitude of his older brother, demanding a party, after all of his years of hard work .

Of course, I’ve seen my reflection in both, depending on what season of life I was in.

But we always forget about the third character of the story -The father.

His younger son basically wants him dead- to take his inheritance without thinking about how his father would feel.

His younger son, completely disowned the family and leaves, never to return again.

Then the son completely squanders all the money, landing up in a pigsty, and completely disrespects the family, and how he was raised.

If I was a father, I would be so upset- knowing that all my hard work and sacrifice would’ve been completely a slap in my face.

Certainly, the father would have justification to abandon his son, and write him off of any future inheritance or property.

But yet, the father waits and expectation for his son, to come home, to embrace him -donning him with treasures, rings, and honor.

How many times in our lives, have people betrayed us, taken from us, and hurt us, knowing that it would deeply wound us?

And yet, through the process of daily walking with Jesus, we should become more like the father - willing to forgive, being over-the-top-generous, embracing those that have betrayed us, and leaving no room for pettiness.

When the Holy Spirit revealed this to me this week, I was moved to tears.

I always thought the place of the father in the story was simply a reflection of God- waiting for us, looking for us, and being so loving- which, of course it is. But there’s another layer to this story.

Through my 20 years of walking with the Lord, I’ve seen myself as the prodigal son, in my early years of faith.

Then, in my teen in early adult years, I would see my attitude of religiosity in the younger brother, and picturing myself there.

Now, in my almost 40s, with three children and a husband- I am now, realizing that the ultimate test of my faith comes to being most like the attitude of the  father.

This is the area that I need the most help on, because that is a daily process of learning to work with others, learning to sacrifice and crucifying my flesh daily.

This means completely putting myself below everything else, and being completely submitted to the ultimate mission of the Kingdom.

So, which character do you see yourself as?

Do you see yourself as the product with son, running away from God?

Do you see yourself in the role of the older brother-wondering where your reward is?

Or do you see yourself in the role of the father, reflecting the will of God, and being completely forgiving and kind ?

Reflect on which character you see yourself as, and then ask the Holy Spirit to help you become more like Jesus every day .

Jesus at the Kid’s table

During this holiday season, I’m sure you will be familiar with setting up a tiny little plastic table, paper cups and forks for the little ones at your gathering.

This is the place that has messes, spills, and is a wonderful location for all sorts of funny kid conversations - so that the adults can be talking about politics, the news, and all sorts of other adulty things at the big person table.

During the time of Jesus, many of his disciples thought that He would be too busy to hang out with children - they thought He would be more concerned with daily politics, being the next ruler, and other “important” matters of state.

But they were wrong:

Luke 9:46 looks back to what had occurred earlier that day stating, “An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.”

But in a surprising turn of events, “He (a man from the crowd) brought a little child to Jesus' side. Then Jesusop9 i said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭NLT‬‬

His disciples were shocked, how could such a great man of God want to hang out with children, and be okay with interrupting His day?

Imagine Jesus is invited to your holiday dinner- you give Him the place of honor- The head seat.

Some time after talking about “adult stuff” you turn to look and Jesus is gone.

Jesus is at the kid's table- making silly faces, drawing on the napkins, making funny noises, and just giving high-fives to everyone.

This Christmas, let’s remember the wonder, the childlike, faith, and love that our savior brings into the world.

Let’s invite people into the simplicity of the gospel, pursuing peace, and returning to the roots of the season.

Presence over presents

Presence over presents

Did you know according to one study done this year that 30% of Americans are still in debt from last year 2021 Christmas?

(See source here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-americans-spend-christmas-140028685.html)

It’s much easier to get a present and charge it on your credit card then turning off your phone, putting it on silent and completely being involved in a moment.

Being involved takes a creativity, it creates communication, it means that you’re not multitasking and being completely focused in that moment.

And I would know, we’ve been owning businesses and full-time homeschooling since 2020.

We live on our phones and social media to get the leads in order to put food on the table.

It is a constant monster to wrestle daily-

Having the discipline of time, and knowing when to say no, and to put up boundaries

-In order to have a work-life balance

during this holiday season, even though it’s very tempting to always be on-the-clock as entrepreneurs -make sure you put your phone on “do not disturb” between certain hours so you can enjoy your family and make memories.

Wake up earlier to get your work done while the kids are still sleeping so that you can be completely focus when they’re up - it’s easy to have an idea for a business, and to be very excited about it, but it’s much harder to sustain your work and family relationship over a decade of business, and not let it completely consume your life.

Have a wonderful holiday season and remember to be present over just giving presents.

• written by Christal Marshall

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