Return of the Prodigal Child

This entry is dedicated to Cheri and Wayne of Glass House Ministries. I'm hoping that with my testimony, you will be given renewed hope and faith that God will be able to touch your son's heart.

I come from a good Christian family. My parents would bring my brother and I to church every Sunday and would encourage me to join the youth ministry and choir. For a time, I was happy. I would attend my church activities faithfully and was a very active Christian. I enjoyed singing in the choir because I would constantly learn new songs with lyrics that would touch my heart. I joined medical missions, would write for the youth newsletter, was part of a growth group and would teach DVBS. You could say that my life revolved around church and serving God.

But as I entered university, my interests started to change. I started to think that anything that had to do with church was "uncool". I began to drink, smoke and sneak out of the house at night to go to parties. I had gotten involved with a boy, and was very serious with him. When I had my boyfriend, everything else didn't seem to matter. I would cut class just to be with him, I would sneak out of the house to go out on dates and would return in the wee hours of the morning in time to get ready for school. My parents were suspicious of my slipping grades and change in behavior. They tried to talk to me, but I wouldn't listen. My parents and relationship with God was no longer a priority. I was sick and tired of all the rules and just wanted to have fun, I decided that I would live life my way.

Having thought that, I left home and moved into a condo with my boyfriend. For several months we'd travel around the country, we even went to Spain. We dropped out from school and would spend our days in the malls or at the beach. We had cut off communication with our parents, we didn't want to be found. We had each other and at that time, that was all that mattered. But like the saying goes, all good things come to an end. I realized that I had missed my period. I was pregnant.

To say that I was panicked would be an understatement. I was terrified. I wasn't prepared. It was then that I realized that I needed to contact my parents. And with a single text message, all the hopes and dreams my parents had for me were gone. The pregnancy devastated them. My dad was thrown into depression and my mom was furious. My parents are very careful with what they say, but at that time, my mom's vocabulary greatly expanded so to speak. I prayed and prayed, I asked God to give me strength to endure my parents' harsh words. After all, I knew I deserved it. But also, I prayed that God would give me the strength to apologize to my parents and to do whatever I could to restore my relationship with them.

Once again, I sent my parents a text message sincerely apologizing to them and telling them that I needed them. Through God's grace, my parents forgave me and invited me to visit them at home. That visit was probably one of the happiest days of my life. It was very much like the prodigal son's return home. I was welcomed with open arms and although we spent more time hugging and crying then we did talking, I wouldn't want to have it any other way. My mom told me that she had been praying for that day and that she was glad that day had finally come.

Almost 3 years has passed since that day and although we don't always see eye to eye on certain issues, I am glad to have my parents back in my life. Especially now. They are a perfect example of God's unconditional love. Despite all the headaches and heartaches I've given them, they've always stood by my side and always welcome me with open arms. Their love and faith in me is unwavering, and because of that, I realize how awesome God is to have blessed me with such wonderful people. As Christians, they too have their ordeals every now and then, but their prayer life and unwavering faith in God is what drives me to restore my relationship with Him. I pray that I will continue to grow in Him and be a good example to my kids, as my parents have been to me. To God be the glory :)