“He welcomes with open arms when we run to Him for cover. He stands guard over our celebration and decks us out in delight.” Psalm 5:11-12 (Msg)
Lately, I have found great comfort and solace visiting with friends, who have gone before me in the parenting part of these teenage years. To say the relationship with my son has been strained at this current juncture in time, would only be the cliff note version of something more in depth and while these waters have already been charted by many, the navigation still remains a chore for me.
He is extremely independent and very strong-willed and seems to be hell-bent on learning the lesson after the pain is experienced rather than before. I am left defeated to no end doing everything I can to teach him the right way all the while facing his consistent refusal as he defiantly treks his own path. I can see the potholes a mile out, yet his mind is made up and another draw lands in the record books as this night comes to a close. Oh, how similar we actually are.
Where my studies have led me of late has been quantifying the actual distance the prodigal son is from the father when he is seen “a long way off”. Reading through one of my favorites again, the resonation is off the chart as Jesus walks with me on a deeper level and inside an understanding beyond anything I’ve experienced to this point. From God’s position, it is digestible why grace is poured out by the acre. He knows the victory and has owned it since its conception. The exalting already belongs to Him because He birthed “the plans He has for me” and the places set out before my wandering feet have been firmly planted since Zacchaeus’ tree.
This season has forced me to learn the meaning of divine trust, to believe when it’s painful, to have credence when it’s frustrating, and to rely on His word when the gas tank is empty. God Almighty never promised the road would be easy and I’ve been embarrassed at how quickly I’ve wanted to take the exit. I’ve been humbled by how swiftly I can give up on my child “coming to his senses”. I’ve been ashamed by how much resemblance I have had with Peter seated in the firelight, and how many times I’ve doubted the Potter and what He’s actually spinning on the wheel.
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His love never runs dry, and because He is the vine, this branch has never been withered. Reminder upon reminder of how good He is to me and how good He will be to those around me pierce the curtain of lies from the abyss below and another plea before bed that He doesn’t forsake me exudes from my heart yet again. A voice from heaven thunders a blink later that no matter what distance I’m off, He will forever aggressively pursue and patiently await my safe harbor, and a command a second behind that roars my job in this season is to return the favor with open arms, the family ring and a fattened heifer.
