ARE YOU A PRODIGAL? I AM…

By Anita Mondragon
 
My son came over for a visit the other night, and per the usual, when he left, I stood outside and waved at him and watched him until I could see him no more.

I think I learned that from my grandma and grandpa K.  We lived here in Colorado, and they lived on a farm in Kansas.  They hardly ever got to see us, so when we would come to visit, there would be a huge feast with all the friends and relatives invited.  When we would leave to come back to Colorado, my grandparents would stand at the end of the lane that led to their farm and wave until our car was out of sight.  I would look out the back window, and they would be wiping tears from their eyes as we drove off.  They were old, and thought that perhaps that would be the last time they would see us here on this earth.

 

As I stood and waved good-bye to my son, the story of the Prodigal Son in the Bible came to mind.  Read: Luke 15:11-32 for the whole story.

The verse that really captures my heart is verse 20.  “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him…” -Luke 15:20

Before we go any further, look at the definition of the word, prodigal.

Adjective  [usu ADJ n]

You can describe someone as a prodigal son or daughter if they leave their family or friends, often after a period of behaving badly, and then return at a later time as a better person.

know that definition and verse 20 in Luke 15 is talking about me.

 

I behave badly every day!  I hate to admit it, but it’s true.  I am NOT perfect in any sense of the word!  I sin in my thoughts.  I sin in my language.  I sin in my attitude.  Unfortunately, most of my day is lived without a thought of my heavenly Father.  I’m too distracted by the things that need to be done.  I’m frustrated, irritable, and down- right angry at times.

 

Then…the ungodly language comes spewing from my mouth.  The vengeful thoughts come pouring in…and my attitude is not one of gratitude!  Am I alone in this boat?  Probably not.  If you’re honest…you’re most likely sitting right next to me as we row our way through this sea, called life.

 

BUT GOD….  God is standing right where we left Him.  He has His hand over His eyes, searching…looking intently for us to come back home.  When we are still a long way off, He sees us, and runs to meet us.  We tell Him how sorry we are for leaving His presence, but He hardly hears us…He’s too busy making plans for a wonderful feast to welcome us home!  He washes us clean, dresses us in His robes of righteousness, puts a ring (an unending circle of His love) on our finger, and welcomes His wayward, lost child back home! 

 

 GRACE!  It’s so big!  I can’t begin to explain it.  Only God can show you what it means!

 

If you’ve wandered far away from God, if you’ve been on the path of sin too long…come back home!  Your heavenly Father is standing at the end of the lane.  His eyes search the horizon.  He’s looking for you!   He wants to wash you clean, dress you in His robes of righteousness, put that ring of love on your finger, and have a celebration, because His long-lost child has finally come home!

Anita


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