A former prodigal and his progeny

My Mom has been home sick for a few days, and the upside of being sick is sitting in bed with a good book/laptop (or if you are me, a Kindle! Yes, I'm getting too much enjoyment out of this...). My inbox is full of great articles and links she sent along, and I wanted to share two with you, both written by the same author.

The first is about how to lure a prodigal home. As mothers of young children, it's easy to naively think that if we parent our children well, we will never find ourselves in this situation. The article is written by John Piper's son, who was the prodigal, so the "faithful parenting= faithful children theory" is blown out of the water. God has given us promises, and we are to be faithful, but I think we do need to remember that He may choose to glorify Himself in causing our children to walk faithfully all their lives, or by bringing them back to Himself.

The second is just a reminder that God is in the business of creating abundant life and joy, even after sorrow.

It is very apparent from the word of God, that he is wont often to try the
faith and patience of his people, when crying to him for some great and
important mercy, by withholding the mercy sought, for a season; and
not only so, but at first to cause an increase of dark appearances. And
yet he, without fail, at last succeeds those who continue instant in
prayer, with all perseverance, and will not let him go except he blesses.

~Jonathan Edwards