The Prodigal Son

Parents can't force their kids' hearts, no matter how godly the home — Proverbs 22:6 is a principle for wise living, not a guaranteed promise. God calls parents to faithfulness, not perfection, trusting that He loves their children even more than they do, and aiming to raise disciples who know Jesus personally rather than kids who just behave well.

In the parable of the two lost sons, Jesus shows that every person is lost — whether by running from God like the younger son, or by hiding in religious self-righteousness like the older son. The good news is that God runs toward the lost, and worth in His family comes not through work, but through being born into it.

Grace can feel as awkward as an unwanted hug, but it's the truest thing about us: we were sons and daughters before we ever sinned. Because God's love has never been circumstantial, our story doesn't start at our worst moment, and coming home to Him leads not to condemnation but to celebration.