20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b]22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20-24
In the story of the prodigal son, I’m always touched by
the father’s reaction to his son’s return.
While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him, felt
compassion, and ran to him. Not waved at
him, not beckoned to him, not even walked to him - - the father ran. I love that.
I love the passion and I love how the father’s reaction is based on who
the son is; not what’s he’s done or not done.
Lately, my three year old son and I have been
experiencing multiple homecomings every day.
I’ve been seeing a counselor to help me with some anger struggles as a
mother. She encouraged me to consider the difference between
misbehavior and big feelings. When I see
my son overwhelmed by big feelings, instead of a consequence, I’ve been having
him take his special blanket to a “calm down spot” and he can come back to play
when he’s peaceful again. When Luke
returns from his break, I always open my arms, smile, and say, “Welcome back!”
Luke isn’t the only one who benefits from a calm down
spot. I need it too. When I my anger bubbles up and I’m starting
to cope with yelling or controlling, I’m challenging myself to step away for a
moment and regain my peace. I usually
just go in the bathroom with the door closed and take some deep breaths. When I come out, guess what Luke does and
says? Yep – he opens his arms wide,
smiles at me, and says, “Welcome back!”
This is such a beautiful picture of the grace and love
God has for us as His sons and daughters.
When we sin, or do anything that puts a barrier in our relationship with
him, He welcomes us back. Every time. There is love and relationship waiting for
us, no matter how many times a day we turn away and turn back again. In fact, the Bible says God was with us all
along (Hebrews 13:5). Maybe, in the
spirit of the prodigal’s father, Luke
and I should run to the person coming back from their break. Makes me smile just thinking about it.
Welcome back.
Top photo credit: Jessica Witters Photography
