seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Luke 15:11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “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. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 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.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Amazing Grace.... was lost and now am found.There are a lot of old mothers in the neighborhood I'm in. About half of them have children who haven't spoken to them in years.
What do you think young mothers would say if I told them they have about a 40/60 chance that when their beloved sons or daughters reach the age of consent, they will move out and never look back?
I'm sure they would say, "not my child". They would say that because they are good parents. They put their life on hold, and they loved their children and showed their children all the love they could so they would grow to be good adults.
There are 92 apartments in my community. About half of the women are missing their children. I'd say that's a trend statement, wouldn't you?
When your child comes home.... it's a huge deal! If my mom was still alive, she could tell you. I was gone for about a decade. I spent the first half of that decade being "myself". It was the 70's. I spent the second half too embarrassed to go home. But then domestic violence came to visit, and I had to take my three kids and go home.
My mom and dad welcomed me and the kids. My sisters were livid. Three kids require a lot of space, bread, and attention. The sisters were used to getting it all.
I appreciate what everyone did for me and mine. I'm sorry I had to go home with diapers in hand. I might add, when I arrived, my kids all came down with chicken pox. I had no clue I was coming home with children about to break out with a vicious rash. It was definitely an unplanned trip. No wonder my sisters stopped talking to me as soon as mom passed away.
So, Jesus told us the story of the prodigal son. Many, many, many good parents go through the same thing. Jesus wanted everyone to know.... If you're one of those wandering children, once you became part of the family of God, it's ok to go home to the family of God. They are waiting for you.
Some of the humans in the world today, who claim to be Christian, have been lied to in the church. They left without a life net. The Bible can be quite impossible to read when life is going so fast. Without a net, we wind up slopping hogs like the prodigal son. We look back and wish we could just go home to God. We left the church, so we figure we burnt that cross.
Jesus knew it was going to happen. It was happening back in His days. He wants you to know, it's ok. Get back in the Word. Get back to talking to God. Just shun the wicked interpreter who would ruin the church. Come home.
Come home to God!
