Luke 15:20-"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

This verse is a part of the story of the Prodigal son. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Why? Because It is a story that shows the unconditional love of a father. It reveals how much our Heavenly Father desires a relationship with us. It  also shows that no matter what we have done in life God's love  is always reaching out to us.

I see myself in this story. I was a person that went my own way and really didn't care about what God thought. I was going to go out with my friends, smoke a little pot, drink a little beer and do what felt good. I really didn't want to have a lot to do with my Heavenly Father. I was my own man doing what real men do.

It was on August 10, 1980 that I saw the Father running towards me with his arms open wide and a smile on his face. It was on that day that I realized life with the Father is so much better than the empty life I was living. It was on that day I came home and it was that day Father threw me a big party in heaven. (Luke 15:7)

I felt the mercy, peace, love and joy only Jesus could give me. I thought the world was the place to find these things but I was wrong. The world only offered me, guilt, shame, disappointment and pain. I was amazed how God loved me and didn't condemn me. He embraced me and didn't reject me. He accepted me just as I was and didn't demand I clean up my act before I could come to him. He was just glad to see me home.

How about you? How is the world treating you? How is your life going? Are you experiencing joy, peace, love, and hope or the pig pen of anger, bitterness, anxiousness, fear and discouragement? Please read Luke 15 and see how your Heavenly Father responds to a lost son who returns home. He desires to give you a warm hug and a big kiss on the cheek. He has longed for the day you come back to him and he will always welcome you home. He loves you so much. No matter what you have done, his grace, mercy and forgiveness is bigger than our life of sin. Trust Him with your life and come join the party. 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am sorry for going my own way. I am sorry for thinking I could do life better than you. My life feels like being in a pig pen and I want to come home. Forgive me. I believe the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ was for me. I accept him and want to trust you with the rest of my life. In your son, Jesus' name, Amen!