You Just Never Know

Luke 15:24 “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

Sometimes looking at the past gives us hope for the future. Reading my Grandpa Creech’s diary from 1958 is strengthening my faith.

The pages reflect Grandpa’s concern for my parents. Their marital problems were increasing. Neither of them walked with God and sadly, my dad had a rebellious streak a mile long. Grandpa’s entries: Lord, take care of the trouble in that little house. Lord help them stay together. And when Dad moved back to the little house, Grandpa wrote, I’m giving God all the honor. But their reconciliation was short-lived. My parents divorced and my mother became a single mom, raising my brother and me alone.

I can only imagine the anguish Grandpa must have experienced. As a country pastor, he knew all about man’s sinful nature. Yet he didn’t expect his own son to become a prodigal. And what about the impact on my brother and me, as well as my mom? But you just never know….

Thirty-two years later, on a Sunday morning, Grandpa would be sitting in his living room with Grandma when my dad would walk in, kneel before them with tears streaming down his face and say the words Grandpa had been waiting to hear his whole life. Dad, Jesus saved me this morning!

In the next twenty-five years of his life, my dad would become a powerful witness for Christ. And not only that, my mom would become a Christian and my brother and I would both come to love Jesus with all our hearts. In 1958, Grandpa didn’t realize God was already working redemption. You just never know….

Grandpa’s joy in Dad’s salvation must have been like the father’s in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). When that wayward boy turned toward home, his dad met him with irrepressible delight. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! That father never stopped hoping, never stopped loving, never stopped praying. Neither had Grandpa.

Maybe some of you are struggling with prodigal children or grandchildren,friends or family members. Maybe you think your prayers aren’t making a difference because you don’t see any change. Please don’t stop hoping, don’t stop loving, don’t stop praying. Because you just never know.