Come Home

     "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So, he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
     After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So,  he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
     When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father's house and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
Luke 15: 11-20

     There was a Christian couple who had four daughters. When the youngest turned 18, she announced that she was heading off to a faraway place. Although they thought it was foolhardy, the parents gave her their battered suitcases along with their worried blessing, and let her go.

     Once there, she married the wrong guy at a young age and soon began to be in need. She found herself with child, bill collectors hounding her and down to her last box of rice. When she swallowed her pride, she asked per parents for passage to come home. After a long journey with a newborn daughter in her lap, she rounded the corner near her childhood home, wondering what would await her? Behold, a banner across the garage said, "Welcome home, Rachel and Lauren!" She was both humbled and exhilarated as her family gathered around, showering her weary soul with love. She'd come home!

     "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.'" (Luke 15: 22-24)

     Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, "O sinner, come home." You won't receive a lecture enumerating all your inadequacies. You will be cloked with the robe of righteousness and the crowned with salvation as your compassionate Father throws his arms around you and showers you with kisses.

     Come home.