Pray without ceasing.
I Thessalonians 5:17

In Luke 15:11-31 we read the story of the Prodigal Son. I know this parable is an illustration of our Heavenly Father welcoming home His lost children.  However, if I consider it as just an earthly family, I often wonder, “Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?”

Where was the Prodigal Son’s Mom?  Was she mending clothes when she first noticed this son’s rebelliousness as a youth?  Did she sit by his bedside every night and pray for him as he grew up?  Did she often go without meals as she fasted for her son, pleading with God for him to give up his rebelliousness?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when he asked his father for his share of the inheritance?  Was she heartbroken, crying in the bedroom?  Was she pleading with him not to go?  Was she praying constantly for him to stay?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when he was squandering the money on wild living?  Was she distressed by his friends who had led him astray?  Was she begging God to watch over him?  Was she longing to go and find her son?

Did people tell the Prodigal’s Mom not to worry, that her morals were too high, that all kids need to spread their wings?  Did they make her feel like a failed mom for raising a rebellious son?  Or, did they come to her and pray with her and claim God’s promises for her lost son?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when the son was feeding the pigs?  As she fed her chickens, was she wondering what her son was doing?  Was she praying and fasting again for her son to come home, day after day after day?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when his father saw him coming at a distance?  Was she right beside Dad, running to hug her long lost son?  Was she in her room, praising God for His answers to prayer?  Was she in the kitchen helping to fix the fatted calf for the celebration?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom during the party?  Did she sit beside her son with joy?  Did she comfort her other son who had stayed to work?  Did she thank God over and over again for the safe return of her son?  Did she ask God to forgive her son and wash away the scars from his journey?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?

Today’s TEA CUPP:  My dear TEA Mom, as you complete your TEA CUPP journey, praying all the parts of prayer, meeting with Jesus each day for TEA, you may expect everything will go just right.  But our children will still make their own choices.  Our job is to keep praying for them.  Please don’t give up.  Be the Prodigal’s Mom.  Keep praying, even if it takes decades until that child comes home to you and Jesus.

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10 (NKJV)

LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for You.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

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