The Prodigal Son Moment
The Lord Jesus Christ said in Luke 15:11, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
Every teenager goes through that prodigal son moment when freedom from household rules and chores smell like heaven on earth.
Every teenager goes through that prodigal son moment when freedom from household rules and chores smell like heaven on earth. You want that freedom so badly that you finally want to abandon home and permanently be with friends or someone who has promised you love. I’m sure if you went through your teenage years, you will remember that there was a time when you felt that way, just be honest. There’s something about hormones getting released in the body clock that makes us begin to think that quitting home may be the answer to all our problems. And I wouldn’t be surprised if someone who is listening to this podcast right now is thinking that way. I want you to stop in the tracks by giving you ten reasons why being in the family is so important.
There Is A Reason God Gave You A Family
Listen to this. First of all, there is a reason why God did not cause us as human beings to fall from the sky or like fruits falling off a tree. And therefore, when you want to abandon family just like that, you are questioning the wisdom of God. Why did he put you in a home where you have a real father and a real mother looking after you? Just think for a moment.
When you want to abandon family just like that, you are questioning the wisdom of God.
Your Family Can Be Reliable
Number two, there was a time when you were 100% totally dependent on your parents, to feed you, to clothe you, to bath you, to take you to the hospital, put you in bed and even change your soiled napkins. Now, if they could do that for you then, here’s the question, what can they not do for you now? They still love you.
No One Loves You More Than Your Parents
Number three, no one loves you more than your father or your mother. Yes, sometimes it feels as if they hate you because of a quarrel that you may have had with them. But when you grow up to have your own children, you will realise as never before that the umbilical cord is more than just a biological connection. No one loves you more than your dad and your mum.
Your Family Will Give Without Expectation
Number four, your family is the only group of human beings who will give you what you need without expecting anything in return. They’ll even pay your school fees or college fees for seventeen years and not want any sexual favours in return however beautiful you might be. Think about that.
Your Potential Spouse Will Respect You More
Number five, when you will be getting married, the person you are marrying is somebody who will have a lot of respect for you when they know you are coming from a home where you are respected. And you too respect your parents. If you simply move in with them without due process, they will not give you much respect yourself. So, bare that in mind, it matters that you show them that you’re coming from a home.
In Family You Learn To Argue Then Make Up
Number six, it is in the family that you learn to differ sharpley with siblings and still make up afterwards. That training comes in extremely handy when you are now in marriage because in that marriage you will differ sharply. And you will need to make amends. If you did not have that training in the family, you will soon be opting out. That may explain why we have such a high divorce rate. Individuals are not appreciating the place of the family in their lives.
Your Family Will Always Have Your Back
Number eight, your family will always watch your back. They may gossip about you because of your folly, but they will never drag your name in the mad because, you have the same name. Even those siblings’ who fight over inheritance, later make up and protect each other. That’s how tight the family bond is from the hand of God himself.
Friends Come And Go
Number nine, friends come and go. Ask anyone who is in their fifties or sixties whether their closest friends are the ones they were playing with when they were teenagers growing up in their parental home. And they will tell you, they are not. Yet, that is when they are very close to their few remaining siblings. The family matters.
Family Will Surround You In Your Last Days
Don’t be like this prodigal son who quickly got his inheritance and sped off into the far country. Treasure your family.
Number ten, when you are terminally ill and looking death in the face, it will be you family that will come around that hospital bed or that bed where you’re about to breathe your last. They will be the ones nursing you, they will be the ones cheering you up until your last breath. And they will gladly change your soiled beddings and finally ensure that you have a decent burial. Oh, don’t take your family for granted. Don’t be like this prodigal son who quickly got his inheritance and sped off into the far country. Treasure your family. There is nothing like that in the whole of planet earth.
