I wanted to share some revelations gained by the sermon we heard at church yesterday. The text was from Luke 15:11-32, the story of the Prodigal Son.
Of course everything I read and hear now is through the tinted glasses of a betrayed spouse and this really spoke to me. Most people see themselves in the story as taking on the role of the prodigal son. Certainly when I first became a Christian at age 20 and each time I have sinned since then, I see myself in this manner. That I have lost my way and God is waiting to receive me back in His arms.
Well, the sermon referred to a book written by a priest (can't recall names) about our journey in life and that at different points we will fill the role of the son, the elder brother and finally, the goal of becoming like the father.
If you recall, the elder brother was angry that his father accepted the wayward son back into the home, saying that he had always been faithful and had never strayed and that his father did nothing to reward or celebrate this fact.
I see myself as battling between the choice of being the "elder brother" or the "father" to my "prodigal son" (former wayward husband).
Am I going to reject my prodigal husband because "it's not fair" and "I'm justified in my anger" and "I was faithful to you, God, why me?" etc.
Or, am I going to run...not walk, not stand w/my hands on my hips...but run to my husband, throw my arms around him and kiss him and then have a feast and celebrate?
The first point of the sermon was: "Hang on loosely without taking offense." The father didn't stop his young son from leaving and he didn't take personal offense at what his son chose to do. I can so relate this to the fact that I cannot change my husband's actions and that the adultery was not about me, but about his choices.
The second point: "Be a human resource." The prodigal son felt able to return to his father and throw himself on his mercy. Am I willing to be a safe place for my husband and not just show him the way back to the Lord, but to be the path for him?
Third point: "Be ready to receive and celebrate." This is so hard. Enough said.
Fourth point: "Be an advocate for what is best, not for what is fair." Of course it would've been best if the son had never left in the first place. Of course it would've been best if our spouses hadn't cheated, but they did. So what is fair? That the son should be turned away? That our wayward spouse should be kicked to the curb? That is what the world would say is fair, isn't it? But what is best now that the prodigal has returned?
The father replied to the elder son's objection to the unfairness of it all, "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
My husband was dead...and is alive again.
My marriage was dead...and is alive again (even if in critical condition on life support, it's still alive).
Thanks for reading, I hope it helps someone in their journey to become more like our Father and to accept our prodigal spouses with open arms. I've probably not done the sermon justice, but I did my best.
And do not take offense at the Christian content...I warned you first! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
