Sunday March 31st, 2019 4th Sunday in Lent Luke 15:1-3,11-32
?he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. (verse 20)
After living with us for over two years, our two-year-old daughter (biological sister to our adopted son) was returned to her birth mother. As I watched my child leave our house for the last time, I was struck by how much I loved her. I have a new perspective on the position of the father in the story of the prodigal son.
I heard it said that having children is like willingly letting your heart walk around on its own. I fear for our daughter. She is living in a world of addictions and violence. I pray every day for her safety. And if, one day, we are so blessed as to have her return home to us, oh the party we will have.
As my heart aches for our daughter, and I long for her return, I can only imagine how much more God loves her. God is like the father in the parable. Ever waiting. Ever hopeful that his lost child will come home. What a blessed assurance it is to have a God who is so ready to welcome us with open arms no matter how long we have been gone and no matter what we have done or experienced. That is grace. That is love. That is our God.
Holy Father, you await our return to you and you receive us with graciousness and mercy, and a steadfast love that endures forever. Amen. — VB
Contributed by Ever Waiting, Ever Hopeful
After living with us for over two years, our two-year-old daughter (biological sister to our adopted son) was returned to her birth mother. As I watched my child leave our house for the last time, I was struck by how much I loved her. I have a new perspective on the position of the father in the story of the prodigal son.
I heard it said that having children is like willingly letting your heart walk around on its own. I fear for our daughter. She is living in a world of addictions and violence. I pray every day for her safety. And if, one day, we are so blessed as to have her return home to us, oh the party we will have.
As my heart aches for our daughter, and I long for her return, I can only imagine how much more God loves her. God is like the father in the parable. Ever waiting. Ever hopeful that his lost child will come home. What a blessed assurance it is to have a God who is so ready to welcome us with open arms no matter how long we have been gone and no matter what we have done or experienced. That is grace. That is love. That is our God.