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Spiritual Growth

The Prodigal Daughter’s Older Sister

October 18, 2022

We talked about the prodigal son in church this morning. I always loved this timeless story, and while I am an only child, I feel that I relate more to the older brother. The good child. The sibling who stayed home, followed the rules, did was he was supposed to, head down, working hard, daily honoring his father, and respecting the family business.

Then, along comes his younger brother; wild, entitled, expectant. He squandered his portion of wealth, living in the fast lane and fully giving into his carnal desires. After a time, the money ran out. He found himself caring for the lowlifes (pigs, literally) of the animal kingdom. Eating their slop, since he could afford no food of his own.

The baby of the family finally went home. Humbled, ashamed, and hoping for nothing more than a lowly servants’ position within his father’s estate, as he knew he didn’t even deserve that much.

What he did not realize is that no matter how much he disgraced his father’s name, a child is always welcome home. His devoted father met him with open arms. He not only allowed him back into the fold, but he outrageously celebrated his return with a Welcome Home party the likes of which most of us will never see.

While the older brother looked on, jealousy and a staunch black-and-white-right-versus-wrong mentality filled him with hatred toward his wayward little brother, and he refused to attend the welcome home celebration.

As a mother, I completely understand the father’s open arms/open home mentality. There is not a thing on earth that my sons could do or say that would affect my immeasurable love for them.

As a human, however, I struggle with the older son’s pious posture. I work full time. I pay taxes. I don’t break the law (except for my somewhat heavy foot on the gas pedal from time to time, but that doesn’t really count, right?)

I show up. I am a pretty good person….in comparison to the derelicts of society.

When a coworker receives praise for a mundane performance and you are overlooked for years of quiet servitude, it is difficult to celebrate their win.

When a family member takes advantage of an elderly matriarch and you refuse to lower yourself, it is painful to turn the other cheek. It feels personal.

When a spouse indulges more in work, other relationships, or substances than you, after years of enduring loyalty, it cuts to the core.

These difficult life scenarios are so unfair; they are personal, they hurt, they bleed, and they distract us from the grace, forgiveness, and generosity we ourselves have received from our heavenly father.

lost child come home quote

We are all the older brother (older sister, if you will) in many life scenarios. Looking for equality, searching for that elusive pat on the back, seeking the recognition we feel we deserve.

The things is, we are also the prodigal son, or prodigal daughter. The child that squanders great spiritual wealth. The son that selfishly runs away, in search of fame, fortune, and fun. The daughter that takes constantly, never once thinking to give back.

The sinner and the saint.

The prodigal and the loyal.

The good and the bad.

The black and the white.

The savior, the father, our very own Jesus, Lord of All, wants nothing more than His lost child to come home. Spirit contrite. Heart humbled. Aware of the undeserved price paid, so that he, so that she, so that I, could accept such glorious grace.

It occurs to me that withholding love, support, encouragement, and forgiveness for others makes me measurably more toxic than the prodigal son. After all, I have fallen short. I have been forgiven. Who am I to not welcome others home, under the very same roof in which I have been graciously received?

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Manndi Wilkins

Manndi Maphies DeBoef works at the UMKC School of Pharmacy and as a freelance writer in her spare time. Her greatest passion is being a boy mom to her two rambunctious, creative, endearing sons, William, age 11 and Waylan, nearly 9. Her sons never fail to provide daily entertainment, which inspires many of her writings. She also loves to write about everything from being a single mom and dating after divorce to finding love later in life, the devastation of miscarriage, the loss of a loved one and starting over. Her pieces are lovingly filled with inspiration, encouragement and always a touch of humor. “Live a life others wish to read about.”

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Welcome to Salt + Sparrow, a place where we learn about Jesus, the Bible, and find big faith in small things.

"The life I’m called to live is displayed in the "The life I’m called to live is displayed in the way Jesus lived his life. Living out my purpose means to do my best to love and serve others like Jesus did, and let God’s light shine through me so that He may be glorified."

@jenjabbour 

 #faith #momsoffaith #christianmoms #relationshipwithgod #christians #christianmother #christianliving #jesusalways #truth #faithinmotion #christianlifestyle #prayer #purpose
Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

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Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
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"The life I’m called to live is displayed in the "The life I’m called to live is displayed in the way Jesus lived his life. Living out my purpose means to do my best to love and serve others like Jesus did, and let God’s light shine through me so that He may be glorified."

@jenjabbour 

 #faith #momsoffaith #christianmoms #relationshipwithgod #christians #christianmother #christianliving #jesusalways #truth #faithinmotion #christianlifestyle #prayer #purpose
Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth #faithquotes #christ Amen 🙏🏻 @hertrueworth 

#faithquotes #christianmoms #truth #blessed #relationshipwithgod #prayer #christianmomma #christianlifestyle #christianity #faithblogger #christianmother #faithinmotion #faithblog #christianliving #christians #momsoffaith #biblestudy #jesusalways #faith #bibleverse #pray
Every single person you meet was created by, and l Every single person you meet was created by, and loved by God. 

Even the ones who have hurt you. 

Next time you’re tempted to act out in anger, or envy, or hurt.. stop for a moment and think.. how would Jesus behave in this situation? 

Learning to respond to others for who they are rather than what they’ve done… or the emotion their actions have triggered in you, will bring you peace and freedom. 

💛
.
.
.
.
.
#faithblogger #christianblogger #christianwomen #christianlifestyle
I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: I was recently gifted the book, Grit Don’t Quit: Developing Resilience and Faith When Giving Up Isn’t an Option, by Bianca Juarez Olthoff. And it couldn’t have come into my life at a better time.

I think we’ve all gone through times in our life when failure has threatened to keep us down. When getting back up after yet another fall feels seemingly impossible.

And I hate to break it to you, but we will all face failure at some point in our lives. Sometimes repeatedly. But the really amazing thing about failure is that it give us options:

We can either let failure destroy our confidence and our faith and keep us from living up to our full potential.

Or we call view failure as another chance.

Embracing failure is a concept that may be difficult to adopt at first, but when we can view failure as a learning opportunity and quickly get back up on our feet, we win. It’s also a chance to turn to God and say hey.. here’s my weakness. And it’s only through our weaknesses that we can turn to God and find His strength.

So.. are you going to change the way you view failure? Or are you going to let it hold you back?

@biancaolthoff 

I'll link a giveaway for this book in stories so go check it out there!

#gritdontquit #gritdontquitbook #bookstagram #grit #christianbooks
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

"This verse isn’t promising that bad things won’t happen. It simply reminds us nothing can touch us when we live in Christ Jesus. We might experience loss and hardship, but our ultimate destination is heavenly perfection. 

So today, if you are living consumed with fear, practice surrender.

Take a deep breath and know that no matter what, you are loved and you will be ok.

God is Big Enough to hold our biggest hurts and make them beautiful." 

@mrsheidivegh 

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