Racing to my girls!

By Robert Mitchell, Living in Overland Park, KS – husband and father of two wonderful girls!

Recently I read the parable of the Prodigal Son in the bible (Luke 15: 11-32). I’ve read this passage several times in my life, but today I took away a new message. I started to think about how I react as a father when my daughters disappoint or fall short of expectations.

This parable discussed how two sons disappoint their father in difference ways. The younger son steps away from the family and starts a life on the edge of society and living of this world. The younger son takes his inheritance and spends it on worldly treasures. The older son has staked his identity in his pride and self-righteousness. The older brother refuses to accept his younger brother or his father’s love when the younger brother returns home.

Verse 20 of the passage jumps out at me! “But while he (younger son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and full of compassion for him, ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

Imagine a dignified 60-70 year old man girding up his robe, kicking off his sandals and running a half mile down the road to greet his lost son. He was full of joy and passion to see his lost son finally come home. Before his son can recite his rehearsed apology, the father hugs and kisses him. Before his son can repent and ask to come back and be a servant, the father puts an expensive ring on his finger and gives him an expensive robe. This shows that his lost son is back and has not lost his place in the family. The father seizes control and lets him know he is forgiven.

With teen suicide on the rise – Are each of us racing to our kids?

Am I RACING to my daughters daily to beat out the views and judgement of this world? Am I communicating that “I see you and I love you like no other?” Have I shared with them lately that nothing they do can separate them from my love? (And that they will always have a safe place next to me.)

The idea is simple but powerful. Let’s act on the plan and show up for our kids.

Next Steps

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