The Father of The Prodigal Son is one of my favorite examples of a Good, Good Father. (Read the Book of Luke Chapter 15)
The word prodigal means – wastefully or recklessly extravagant spending
Here’s how the story goes:
A wealthy man has 2 sons. One of the sons demands to receive his inheritance early and, when the father complies, the young man leaves home. While on his own, the son spends his money to live lavishly and recklessly until everything he thought would bring him happiness is gone. He is left with no money, no friends, no place to live and hungry. He is so hungry, in fact that, he finds himself in a pig pen contemplating eating their fodder. It is there that the young man comes to his senses and decides to:
- Return home
- Humble himself
- Apologize to his father
- Ask if he can become one of his father’s servants
But being the Good, Good Father that he is, The Father was always waiting, praying and anticipating the return of his beloved son. So, when the The Father sees, from afar, that the prodigal son has returned,
The Father:
- Runs to greet him
- Kisses him over and over
- Calls for a robe to cover his body
- Places a ring on his finger
- Tells the servants to kill a fatted calf
- Throws a party to celebrate
Despite all the mistakes the young man has made, there is NO…
- Scolding or chastising
- Placement of blame, guilt or shame
- Rehearsing his past
There is no judgement, just love.
This is grace and mercy IN ACTION. The grace is the granting of full restoration into the family when it was not deserved. The mercy is demonstrated as the Father withholds all the punishment from the son that is deserved. Can you relate? This is the same love God, our Good, Good Father, bestows upon all of us. Remember, no matter how far you’ve strayed away from God, whether physically or spiritually, He is just waiting for you to come home. God is the ultimate Good, Good Father. Happy Father’s Day and . . .
Keep the Faith, LifeSpeakers.
Wilma
