Welcome Back

 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