The Prodigal Son

I was one of the prodigals for whom my grandmother prayed. Unfortunately, she never had the opportunity to see me surrender my life back to the Lord; however, her countless hours spent on her knees in prayer were ultimately answered.

Before I found my faith again and started serving the Lord, I had children at home.  I did not raise my children in the church, nor did I truly teach them about God. I was the kind of mother who only introduced them to simple prayers, like the "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer, which ultimately had no meaningful impact on their lives.

When I decided to dedicate my life to the Lord, my children were already in their teenage years, navigating their own journeys. They had developed their own beliefs and values during that time, and as a result, they were resistant to embracing my newfound hope and love for God. Despite my desire to share this experience with them, they seemed withdrawn and uninterested, focused instead on their own lives and choices. 

However, my prayers for them never stopped, and I continued to stand on God’s promises.

Acts 16:31 “And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” (ESV)

Isaiah 54:13, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (ESV) 

As someone who has fully devoted my life to God, I firmly believe that He is faithful to His promises and answers our prayers in His perfect timing. Several months ago, I experienced an answer to one of my heartfelt prayers: my son embraced the Lord and accepted Him as his Savior. This moment was especially significant for me, as I have been praying fervently for the salvation of my children for the past thirty years. 

The journey of faith has not always been easy, filled with moments of doubt and waiting, but witnessing my son’s transformation has renewed my hope and strengthened my belief that God listens and responds to our cries. I am immensely grateful and filled with joy for this blessing, knowing that God saved my son for such a time as this. 

As I write this, tears are streaming down my face. You see, Satan tried to convince my son to take his own life. But my God had other plans. My God is faithful! While Satan was planting these dark thoughts in my son's mind, my God said, "Not today, Satan." He came and filled my son's bedroom with His bright light, where my son felt God's presence in a way that only our God can provide. 

My son shared with me that the only way he could truly explain his experience was by recognizing it as a divine encounter with God. He spoke of an undeniable presence that enveloped him, a feeling so profound and powerful that it transcended any words he could find. He understood that this experience might remain a mystery to many, as it was deeply personal and beyond ordinary comprehension. 

When we find ourselves in moments of despair and think that hope has vanished, it is often in those very times that God shows up in unexpected ways. Just like the prodigal son who wandered far from home and made choices that led him astray, my son has now returned, ready to share his powerful testimony with anyone willing to listen. 

His story serves as a beacon of hope for others in similar situations. In contrast, when Satan taunts us by declaring, "This is the end," God assures us with a promise: "No, this is just the beginning of your victory." This powerful reminder encourages us to have faith that even in our darkest moments, a new chapter filled with hope and triumph is waiting to unfold.

I pray that my story and my son's journey will uplift you and instill hope in your heart. I want to share our experiences to remind you that you are never alone and there is always a path to healing and redemption.

Bobbie Nave

Bobbie Nave is a proud mother of two wonderful children and a loving grandmother of four beautiful grandchildren. In addition to her roles as a mother and a grandmother, she is also a passionate motivational speaker and a published author. Her primary mission is to empower and guide others in understanding their identity in Christ and to increase their awareness of spiritual attacks by the enemy. Her ultimate goal is to help them grow into formidable prayer warriors capable of engaging in and winning spiritual battles. Read more of her writings here.