Prodigal

When we lived in Alabama, my dog Sam loved to escape from the confines of our yard. We lived on an acre lot and he had plenty of room to run. But when he found the opportunity to escape, he took off with all of his might. On some of his escapades, I could catch him within minutes; other times, he would find a hiding spot in the woods and be gone over night. I was always frantic when he would leave, and I did everything in my power to bring him back: enticing him with food, sneak attacking, begging and then screaming for him to “Come HERE!!.”

Once, Sam was gone for several days, which was very unusual. He would have normally been hungry by the second day and come home. My husband and I searched for hours, daily tracking the woods and canvassing the neighborhood. Sam was no where to be found. He had been gone for several days when I became particularly anxious. I was supposed to be leaving to go out of town, and I couldn’t bare the thought of not knowing he was safe at home. I began calling the local vet clinics, and no one had seen him. On a whim, I decided to check the local pound. It took an act of congress just for me to see him. It took a sacrifice of patience and money to get him home. He had lost his collar with his name tag and information before the pound picked him up. That did not change the fact that he was mine, and I wasn’t going to stop until I brought him home. I had never been so happy and so angry in all my life. And honestly, I don’t think he had ever been so happy to see me.  

Jesus is always excited to see us come home. We always think we want our freedom from Him until we are caught in a hopeless situation, and He is our only chance of rescue. I don’t believe He stands by and lets us continue to get farther and farther away. I think He actively pursues us until we are so far away, we can no longer hear His voice guiding us home. He is never so far away that He doesn’t hear us, and when we call on Him, He comes running. I am reminded of the parable that Jesus gave of the prodigal son. At the end of the story, the father runs toward his son, embraces him, and call for a celebration. The missing part of his family was back home; it was time to rejoice!

The Word of God is clear that we have all sinned and fallen from the glory in which God created us to walk. But He is faithful to rescue, faithful to hear, faithful to come when we call on Him. Without fail, He will always welcome us back with open arms. And not only does He welcome us, He treats us as if we had never left. WOW, what a wonderful God.

And if I might, in the spirit of freedom: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our service men and women who do what they can to keep our great nation free. If it were not for the sacrifice of generations of great men and women, I would not have the opportunity to write freely about the wisdom and blessings God has given me; and you would not have the opportunity to disagree. So thank you all for your sacrafices. They do not go unnoticed!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

 I thank You that You are a wonderful God. I thank You Lord that when I call to You, You hear me. I thank You that You never leave me or forsake me. And I thank You that You are never so far away that You do not hear me. Cause me to be more like You, oh Lord, and keep me from the things that cause me to stray. Amen

Scripture References:

Luke 15:11-24 (NIV)

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry

Romans 3:23 (NIV)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 8:1 (KJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 12:2 (AMP)

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Thought Builder:

Have you ever found yourself in a “prodigal son” situation?

How can you help those who are experiencing a season of rebellion?

Love L.I.F.E (Love Is ForEver):

I have gone thought a season in my marriage that felt like a constant attack of the enemy. I needed a time of refreshment and so did my marriage. If you can afford it, why not take a couple’s spa day? It will be a great way to relax, even if you’re not experiencing tension. If that seems out of the question, I challenge you to get creative and make your own at-home spa. Nothing too fancy is required, just grab a bottle of lotion, a face mask, some cucumbers, and whatever else you think might be fun. Send the kids to the neighbors, light some candles, and set a mood that is both fun and relaxing.