He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 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 shoes on his feet.' Luke 15:20 WEB

Jesus once told a parable that became known as "The Prodigal Son." It is about a young man who grew tired of waiting on his father to die, and demanded his inheritance early. Graciously the father gave it to him. The son immediately left for a faraway country and blew all the money on 'riotous living' and prostitutes. When the money was all gone, so were his friends, and he ended up working on a pig farm. Starving, barefooted, and feeding swine that were considered unclean, it was as low as a young Jewish man could go.

While at rock bottom, he "came to his senses" and decided to go home and work for his father as a servant. He felt that he was no longer worthy to be called a son. When the father saw him coming down the road, he ran out to meet him, hugged him and kissed him, before the son could even say a word.

The father placed the best robe on him, a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. Then he held a feast to celebrate his son coming back home. The father in the parable was not interested in the long, sad story that the son had put together for him. The only thing that mattered was that his son was now safely back home.

When we stumble in life, we often act like this son. We hang our head down, feeling that we are no longer worthy to be His child, no longer worthy to pray, or even attend church. We stop talking to Him, withdraw, and give up on the plans that God had for our life. All the while, God is waiting with open arms for us to 'come to our senses.'

You are His child and the moment that you turn back to God, He comes to meet you with open arms. You do not have to do a lot of explaining for He understands and He will be happy to have you back with Him again. He will restore you completely as His child, and His plan for your life will resume, as soon as you ready.

Prayer: Heavenly Father I so thank You for Your gracious mercy. You are so good to me and I just want to know You even more. Please help me learn to follow You closer and keep me from becoming distracted, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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