You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? —Psalm 56:8
If you’re the parent of a prodigal, you may know the above verse by heart. David prayed these words during what was likely one of the darkest times in his life.
David fought a national enemy, but his words could belong to any of us who grieve a more personal “enemy”—our prodigal children. A thousand bottles couldn’t contain the oceans of tears we cry. Yet God promises that He sees our tears. He knows our pain. We are not alone.
If, like me, you’re experiencing the soul-crushing heartbreak of a prodigal child, allow me to share this truth to cling to: God weeps for prodigals too. He weeps for them out of sorrow and for you out of empathy. He knows us so intimately that every tear we shed has meaning to Him. And one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:4).
It’s okay to cry. But cry in the arms of your Savior. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for great and mighty things.
Make it Personal
Take time to pray for any prodigals you know, remembering that Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost.