There are so many parents longing to see wayward sons and daughters come back to the Lord. The father in the story of the prodigal son sets an amazing example and should bring us great encouragement. If we back up to Luke 15:20, as the prodigal son was returning home, it says, “…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
There are some wonderful insights that stand out about the father in this story. One is that he waited at home; he continued about the business of tending to his household. He did not frantically go looking for his son; he didn’t venture into the pig’s sty…he released him to go, and I believe he waited with faith and expectancy that his son would one day return. Another nugget…when the father saw his son coming from a ways off, he ran to greet him. He didn’t sit at his door, arms folded across his chest, waiting to badger his son with guilt and shame over his depraved lifestyle. He, with joy, ran to meet him. He rejoiced over him, just as the Lord rejoiced over us when we came to him. He immediately covered him with the best of his clothing, just as our Father bestowed on us robes of his righteousness.
If you are waiting for a loved one to return to the Lord, be encouraged. The scriptural promises that the Lord has given us to stand on, along with all of our prayers, will not be in vain. God is watching them too. He is expectantly waiting and ready to rejoice over their return!