Did you hear about my father?
Luke 15:11-24
This great man who worked hard all his life. He is that man who started from scratch knowing that one day he would have a family and children to care for.
My relationship with my brother wasn’t the best. He always wanted to study, to work with his hands and to be all the time around my father. His intention was to prove how he is a hard worker and the best son a father could ever have. He was always competing against me thinking he would earn more favor from our father. Our relationship was very dry. The only aspect that relates us in brotherhood is that we live under one roof.
I have to say that I didn’t really bother with this because I was never attached to my family. I want to enjoy life and enjoy myself. I couldn’t even wait for my father to die to inherit that I just decided to ask for it before time.
I have decided it is time for my father to give me my share of the inheritance. So I told him:
“ Father, the money will be mine anyway after you die - so better to give it to me now. I want my share of your estate that is coming to me.”
Now that I have all that will satisfy my needs and will give me happiness, I will start packing all my belongings and travel far away. I want to see the world. I want to finally live my life. I went to the farthest land where nobody knows me and no one would bother me saying whether what I do is right or wrong. But ... everything went wrong, I lost everything… The reality of living a sinful life shook me that I came back to my senses. I realized my need to have a father and be in his house. The need to belong and be surrounded by his presence. I decided to return at least to live like a servant in my father's house.
I spent days walking, sleeping on the dusty streets, with an empty stomach, but I kept going, I knew deep inside of me that there would be light at the end of the tunnel, because I am going to my father. All I have been thinking of is what I will be telling him? trying to make a scenario after another scenario in my mind . I can see my father's big house from far away...I can also see a man standing next to the big trees surrounding the house. I feel it is my father. Is he really waiting for me? I take a few more big steps and my heart tells me this is my father. but how would he know that I'll be returning? I was still a great way off and before anyone else could see me, before anyone else would see my shame, and how dirt is covering me..; My father had compassion on me … when I was still a great way off… seeing him running towards me, I could already feel his affection, I could smell the sweetness of his love, I could hear him welcoming me back.
He grabbed me despite the pig smell and my dirt, he embraced me and was wiping every tear falling from my eyes.
In his embrace, I think to myself: oh father...oh how I miss that sweet fragrance of fatherhood. It regenerates life within me. You give freshness to my weary body, my broken spirit and my whole being. Right in the center of your embrace, father, it feels so warm. It feels secure. It feels so good to be right inside of you. Your arms give me life, your heartbeats impart life to my dead heart, your breath blows over my soul, it comes into being and gives life again on the inside of me. Oh how I love you Abba. I want to be held in your arms forever.
In my father’s embrace, I was looking into his eyes that were pouring love and ardent affection. Looking back at me, with a burning passion, and glowing fire that was coming from his eyes. This love he has for me is inextinguishable. This look in his eyes is just unfailing. Words fail to express the love and tenderness I see in his eyes when he looks at me. The acceptance he has for me is unshakable!
Oh Father, I came to you. To rock me and swing me, in Your arms.
Oh Abba, You are ALL mine, ALL for me. You are here… providing all that I need.
Like a little child, I ran to you… you kneel down, getting so excited to embrace me in Your arms, You run even faster, you cannot wait to hold me tight in Your arms. I run to you and you grasp me, and don’t let me go.
Fatherhood flows from You. You are My Father and I am your child. You take My side, You do not reject me.
Your eyes say: I desire you, I delight in you.
Your arms around me say: I won’t leave you, you are Mine… FOREVER.
Your head leaning on my head says: I am your head, I am your glory, I am your light. I am the very exact thing you need and long for.
Sing my child, dance freely with me. I am Your First and Last. Look how beautiful you are, crowned with my mercies, my grace and my love.
Come my blameless, beautiful, holy and innocent, child…COME, let me pour more of Me in you.
He kisses me not just one kiss. His continual kisses are spilling ardent love. This great token of love, inflames my heart with new hope. Your repeated kisses restore my soul, heal my brokenness and cover my shame.
You give me the best robe to make me look like you, father.
You give me the ring and give me access to all your belongings, to recognize me in front of everyone as your son.
You bring sandals because only the slaves went barefoot, sons wore sandals!
For you who are reading my story, I was dead and now I am alive.
Do you need to come home? Maybe you are away from the father? Do you feel his love for you? The father himself loves you.
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” Psalms 40:2-3
-saved by grace.
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