She quietly announced to the world, “I’m running away!”
Before I knew it, her bags were packed. I’m not worried, though. She’s only six, and she has an active imagination. I tell myself that she is only pretending.
Suddenly, I hear the door shut. When I peek out the window, I see her petite frame traveling down the driveway and to the street. Her backpack on her shoulders, her ring of silly bands hooked to her waist, and her bedtime friend “Dolly” stuffed in her purse as her companion, I can’t believe my eyes. Running away? Really? My daughter? I’ve heard about children attempting this, but never in a million years did I consider that my sweet girl might want to abandon her loving family.
Thankfully, she does not have a jealous older brother. She has a tough but tender eleven-year old brother who absolutely melted at the sight of his sister trying to escape. My husband also came to the rescue and walked her around the block and back home again. Her eldest brother was greatly relieved and showered her with love and affection. He was truly ready to throw a party for her. I think he may have even promised to clean her room for a year.
As I sat with my girl in my lap, I tried to comfort her and understand what had caused this emotional drama. Finally my heartbroken girl blurts out, “I’m lonely!” And my heart breaks. I’m starting to understand. She’s living in a world of brothers, and she’s feeling left out. She’s tired of being the youngest, and she wants some privileges. She feels overlooked, and she wants some attention, too.
We talked about the story of the prodigal son and why he wanted to run away. We talked about how her father adores her and how only her Heavenly Father’s love would fill her lonely heart. I even offered to throw her a party with Joe-Joe cookies and milk, but she declined. Her heart was still hurting, but she was ready to join her big brothers in the backyard for a baseball game.
Later that afternoon when I spotted her heart backpack lying on the mudroom floor, I opened it up, curious to see what she had packed. I had to chuckle a little. She had everything she needed: her water bottle, a journal and pen, pajamas, clean underwear and socks and her toy cell phone. She had even packed her tiny Bible. Even though she had forgotten her toothbrush, I thought, I’m glad that she’s remembered what’s most important.
That evening at bedtime after I tucked my prodigal daughter back into her safe, warm bed, I reflected on the day’s events. And I saw myself in my little girl. How many days have I felt lonely and misunderstood? How many days have I, too, been the prodigal daughter wanting to escape, yes, even attempting to run away from the only God who offers me everything I need? How have I tried in vain to get the attention of others when I desperately needed to rest in the loving embrace of my Father?
I thought of my precious girl who returned home but who, sadly, would continue to struggle as a pilgrim in this land that is not really her home. She’s only six, but her heart has already been hardwired to struggle. Hardwired to run and be homesick for heaven. But I’m thankful she’s home again, and we can struggle as prodigal daughters together.
By Kara, His Story To Tell
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Amy Hunt says
That awareness you have is a gift, and you have the power to guide your daughter closer to Her Father when you acknowledge that He is ultimately her Daddy. When you acknowledge that all of her needs won’t be supplied here in this world, or even through your heart and the four walls of your home. When you surrender her life (and yours) to Him, it changes everything and truly it’s such a gift to her – the best way to be a mama, for sure.
Rich blessings to you, Kara, as you continue to seek Him in all of the ways you Mommy those Children of His…
Kara says
Thanks for the encouragement, Amy! So need that…
Christan Perona says
This is beautiful. You have great wisdom to look into your daughter’s heart and read between the lines, read between the actions. Thanks for sharing your story.
Kara says
Thanks, friend!
Gloria says
Thanks for sharing such a great “real life” story. What insight God has given you to see his hand at work right in the middle of your life. You could have taken a whole different route with your daughter by fussing at her for wanting to leave or dismissing her feelings all together as insignificant but you took the time to use the circumstance to minister. Way to go. Well done.
May God give us all the insight to see him daily at work in our lives so that we don’t miss those opportunities to minister.
Be blessed.
Kara says
Amen, Gloria! Thanks for the sweet words.
bev smith says
This is so beautiful it made me cry. The word prodigal means wasted. The prodigal son wasted all that his earthly father could give him and by turning his back on his home he also turned his back on God. But God did not turn his back on the prodigal son and though he would recieve a lesser portion of blessings he would not be forgotten.
My daughter left home and God when she was 16 and thankfully there was someone there to take care of her. Life had thrown us a curve ball we could not dodge and she couldn’t understand why a God that was suppose to love her had let something so terrible happen to her and i lacked the answers. Last year she returned to God, she forgave him and found compassion in her heart for the person that had wronged her. She is now 22. It took 6 years, the age of your beautiful daughter. Is she my prodogal daughter? Oh no! She was not wasteful and God watched over her in a way that she could not let me do. She lost 6 years in earthly terms in the family, these cannot be restored but she will recieve all that God has in store for her if she continues faithful.
Treasure these moments, they are only little for a short time.
Kara says
Thanks for the insight, Bev. I never realized what the word “prodigal” meant. Thanks for sharing your story, too. God is faithful and we can trust Him, even when our life is messy and we don’t understand. Especially then. May God give you and your daughter new life and hope and restore those years you lost.
Amy says
I love this post. I remember “running away” as a kid. I packed essentials like frozen orange juice (I don’t know why), crackers, and books. It started to rain, so I hid under the sliding board of my backyard play set for shelter. I came back half an hour later and no one even knew I ran away. Sigh.
Kara says
Thanks, Amy. God knew. : )
Living the Balanced Life says
Awesome real-life story for us! And I do feel like the prodigal daughter sometimes! I am sure we all do at times.
Thanks for sharing!
Bernice
There is a God and it isn’t me!
Kara says
Thanks for your comment, Bernice. Good as gold! : )
Mollianne says
I ran away, but I never left the yard. I don’t think I took anything with me, because I was going to my Grandmother’s house and I knew she’d have everything I needed. I was the only girl at the time with older brothers and I don’t have any idea why I ran away. I kept circling the house and saying loudly {when I passed an open window} ‘They are REALLY going to miss me when I’m gone’. I believe that it was the thought of my Sweet Daddy that kept me in the yard. As much as I loved being at my Grandmother’s house…I needed my Sweet Daddy’s love. The Father’s love always draws us home, if we let it.
Kara says
Thanks for sharing your story, Mollianne. Love Sweet Daddy! : )
Amy McCollister says
Running away for me looked a little different. I would, instead, lock myself in my room and pretend to be somewhere else. I would mentally run away. Even though I never physically run away, I can (and still do) identify with your little girl feeling lonely. I grew up in a family of 5-4girls and 1 boy. Many thought with so many sisters I shouldn’t have felt lonely, but the truth is I was the tom boy in the midst of the girls. My parents have admitted that I got lost in the shuffle of 5 kids. There are some dark nights down the street of loneliness, but I am always thankful for the Light of the world to brighten the way through.
Kara says
Thanks for sharing, Amy. Yes, there are different ways to run. May we all have the courage to be real with our hearts and risk reaching out during those lonely days.
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
So, so precious!!!
Some days I want to run away too….
Kara says
Thanks, Teri. May we run to Jesus, instead!
bluecottonmemory says
It is heartbreaking when our children sometimes cannot find comfort at home – and try to leave its safety. The prodigal was not meant for the world beyond his father’s – and he had to learn that the tough way. One of the things that helped me as a mother help my boys with their individuality, to not feel so lonely was The 5 Love Languages by Chapman. I was better able to fill up their love tank – one with words, one with hugs, one with service, one with one-on-one time, one with giving – I haven’t figure out the 5th’s yet – but I’m working on it. Don and Katie Fortune’s “Discover Your Children’s Spiritual Gifts” helped, too. It helped me help them understand the strengths of their differences.
The greatest challenge and the greatest gift is teaching our children to see themselves how God sees them, to not feel lonely because of differences but to understand those differences help others feel more complete:)
Kara says
Thanks for the practical tips! I love the 5 Love Languages book…good to remember!
Cathy says
Hi Kara! This is so sweet! I feel like a prodigal daughter myself. I do want to escape and run away many, many times from the hurts and pains of life … But God lovingly picks me up and encourages me to come back home everytime.
Thank you for sharing this! Very well-written. Really touched my heart!
Kara says
Thanks for the sweet words, Cathy. God is so good to wait for us and often run after us, too. May our heart heal as we learn to trust His heart. So good to meet you…
Friday Faves: Midnight Oil Edition « Backseat Writer says
[…] how her six year-old daughter “ran away” from home in her (in)courage post, “The Prodigal Daughter.” I remember “running away” as a kid. I packed essentials like frozen orange juice (I […]
Mom says
Kara, You wrote so tenderly and insightfully about your dad’s and my prodigal grand-daughter….Knowing her and you and your family as well as I do, I could “see”in my mind’s eye the entire scenario as you described Abby’s run-away. (Eyes that became pretty misty and tearful as I read, I must say. She must be just as sensitive and emotional as her mom, grandma, etc.) I love that you identified her struggle that is within us all as we pilgrim through this weary land, “homesick for heaven” and for the safety and love offered by our heavenly Father.
What a wonderful writer you are! I always knew you were so very capable in so many things. Through the years your insights about life and the struggles that we encounter on this side of heaven have encouraged me and others. And now they can encourage your readers, too, You have had the heart of a missionary for a long time . May God continue to use your gift of writing for His purpose and for His people! I love you so much, my own prodigal daughter!
Love, Mom