The Lonely Pig Pen

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  The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let's eat and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.' Then they began to celebrate. Luke 15:21'24 WEB.
  
  Jesus once told a story of a young man who couldn't wait to get his inheritance from his Father. When he finally received it, he traveled to a distant land. He immediately ran through his new wealth by spending it on riotous living and prostitutes. It certainly wasn't his Father's perfect will for him.
  
  When the party was over and the money was gone, so were his new friends. The son was broke and hungry. He tried to find work but couldn't. Finally, as a last act of desperation, he took a job feeding pigs for a Gentile. Both Gentiles and pigs were considered unclean by Jews. So he had sunk as low as a Jewish man could go.
  
  I grew up on a farm, and slopping the hogs was a daily chore. I can tell you that a pig pen is a messy place to be, and the fragrances of nature surrounding you are memorable. Hogs are not clean animals, yet, bacon is tasty when prepared properly.
  
  Anyway, this son had now hit rock bottom. For a Jew to become a pig feeder for a despised Gentile was as low as he could descend in social status. After a while of doing this, scripture tells us that he "came to his senses." He realized that he was now broke, hungry, living by slopping the hogs, and it was his own choices that got him there.
  
  The son remembered that the servants in his Father's house always had plenty to eat. So he decided to return home and become a servant like them. He put together a long speech about how he was no longer worthy of being called a son.
  
  Yet, the Father saw him coming down the road and ran out to meet him. Before he could even give his speech, the Father in the story was planning a celebration and making him the guest of honor at it. The Father's heart said: "You will always be my son." The son only had to return home, for the Father's door was wide open, and he was welcome back.
  
  Sometimes we ask God for things, and when we get it, we completely blow it. One of those "Oh my, that was stupid!" moments we wake up from. God understands, and He wants us to return to Him. His door is always open. No matter what you have done, you are welcome at His house. This story was included in the Bible for people like us. So when you come to your senses, return home to the Father. It's ok. He understands. You don't have to stay out there in the cold with the pigs.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be, Lord. Open the next door, and I will walk through it. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
  
  Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress
  
  
  

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