THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Lord, your love touches my heart. I get teary eyed whenever I read the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). This wayward boy lost his bearings and wasted years mired in his stupid mode. Being restless and thinking he had the world at his fingertips, he demanded his inheritance from his father. Of course, the father knew his son was making a monumental mistake, but he did not go against his grown son’s wishes.

How painful to release a child to make their own mistakes. It’s worse than a dagger piercing our heart. We desire to spare them the pain that awaits their foolish actions.

Daily, the father bathed his son in prayer, expecting his return.

Of course, we know what befell the boy. He squandered his treasure on temporary pleasures that never satisfied his longings. No surprise, before long, he was broke and destitute, living in a pig pen. He faced his facepalm moment and came to his senses. He headed home to humble himself before his father, hoping for mercy, even though he felt unworthy to be his son.

Lord, I love this part. The father wasn’t looking for his perfect son—he was looking for his broken son. The father ran to meet his bruised and battered child and welcomed him home to restore him his rightful place within his family.

Lord, this is my story. This is all Christ follower’s stories. Our brokenness may not be that of the prodigal, but spiritually, we all were broken. You never scolded us. You just ran to embrace our brokenness and take it upon yourself. What a comforting truth: you meet us where we are lavishing us with your love, forgiveness, and grace to welcome us home.

Only you, Lord, only you. Amen.