A Heart Turning Toward Home

My dear son,

If your heart wants to return to me, you do not need to remain outside the door deciding whether you deserve to be called my child. Your Father is here, eager to welcome you into his arms.

Confess what you have done honestly. I will listen even when the words are unfinished. As the father rejoiced and dressed his returning child in fine clothes, I am glad to have you beside me again.

Tonight, share your desire for restoration. Offer the welcome you have received to someone else who is returning, too. Stay comfortably in the embrace of the Father who longs to share a meal and laughter with you again.

With all my love,
Your Father

Luke 15:11–24

WEB

11He said, “A certain man had two sons.
12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.
13Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
14When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
15He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
17But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!
18I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’
20“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;
24for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

A short reflection

In Jesus' parable, a father runs to welcome the son who squandered his inheritance and celebrates his return with a feast.

World English Bible (WEB) · Public DomainRead the chapter