From Hardship to Fulfillment: a Prodigal Daughter in Brooklyn

By Taiwo Majekondunmi, Deysi Oguagha and Maria Hidalgo, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Luke 15:11-24 NIV

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. [13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. [17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' [20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

This beloved Biblical story came to life earlier this spring in the journey of a young woman from Brooklyn named Maria.

Maria was a kingdom kid, someone who grew up within and around our church family. As a child and the youngest of two siblings, Maria attended the Brooklyn Region of the New York City Church of Christ. Following her parents’ divorce, her mother left the Brooklyn ministry but Maria and her brother remained by their father’s side as he continued to attend the church.

As she grew up, Maria continued to participate in church activities but her teen years proved to be increasingly challenging. Maria found herself wrestling with her upbringing in church and her overwhelming desires for pleasure. By age sixteen, as a young single woman in high school, she became pregnant.

With the support of her father and stepmother, Maria was committed to being the best mother she could be. She welcomed her baby girl Naomi into the world. Despite the many obstacles of single parenthood as a teenager, she persevered and eventually was able to graduate high school.

In the years following, Maria found herself only attending church services on special occasions: annual women’s events, Father’s Day and some holidays. However, Maria continued to chase comfort in momentary pleasures that left her with an emptiness that carried into adulthood. She realized her choices had not always been the greatest example to her daughter. Unfortunately, Maria’s personal life remained unfulfilled and unchanging.

That is -- until attending a special Resurrection Sunday service earlier this year in the Brooklyn ministry where she had grown up. That day, Maria decided to boldly ask three women, Kehinde, Brianna and Taiwo to study the Bible.

The sisters felt skeptical because they had known Maria for many years. They were fully aware that she had grown up in the church and studied the Bible before with little impact on her day to day life. However, this time was different. Maria possessed an incredible determination to know God and be known by him. She expressed a motivation that was prompted out of intense trials. She even reflected on a time where circumstances and temptations had gotten so bad that she wanted to end her own life; but God obviously had other plans for her. Not only did Maria want to get closer to God, but she was determined to become a pillar of light and strength to others in a time of familial and personal hardship. Her motivation was admirable.

As Maria continued her studies, she realized that God sacrificed his only son for the salvation of humanity, for us all, and more unbelievably for her! As a mother, this was unimaginable to Maria. Who could comprehend sacrificing their only child for anyone? She meditated on her love for her own daughter, whom she cherishes immensely. Having become a mother at 17, Maria was no stranger to hardships. Her daughter, Naomi, remained an integral motivation for her becoming a better mother and parental figure through God. She aspired to be a woman Naomi could look up to.

God's ultimate sacrifice made it clear to Maria that it was an honor to serve him. She even stated, “Someone’s love for us in a lifetime could not compare to God’s love for us in one day.” In her studies, Maria's heart to serve was clear. As she had so desired, Maria did repent and became that pillar of light and strength that she and her family needed.

Maria continuously holds onto the promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The new Maria is open, eager to share and inspire other women with the story of her journey. Her baptism was filled with tears of joy, tears of pride and admiration from those around her for the new woman whom she had become. Her dad shared with everyone present about the many times he spent praying for Maria to be united with Christ. Her brother traveled from out of state and arrived as a surprise to perform the baptism. And Maria’s biggest fan, nine-year-old Naomi was there to witness the moment her mom proclaimed “Jesus is Lord!” We can all imagine the ways in which Jesus was rejoicing over Maria and her whole family that day.

Maria’s journey reminds us of the prodigal son returning home in Luke 15:24 “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and was found.' So they began to celebrate.”

From battling hardship, to finding her true fulfillment, Maria Hidalgo was a lost daughter returning home, brought back to life and now bound to inspire us all