So he got up and returned to his father.
The father looked off in the distance and saw the young man returning. He felt compassion for his son and ran out to him, enfolded him in an embrace, and kissed him.
Luke 15: 20 (The Voice)
I run from You, Lord.
You run towards me.
I turn with lowered eyes and shame dripping my from head.
I limp homeward.
You run.
I barely turn the corner, limping back.
You run.
You come the furthest to welcome me home.
The prodigal – full of fear and dread and remorse.
The Father – full of nothing but love.
With the first hint in my eyes of seeking Your face,
You rush into my heart.
I wonder what your eyes look like in that moment of love, greeting this lost child of Yours.
Lord You come to us, for us.
You descend into our sin.
You embrace us and lift us up.
You look off into the distance, watching for our slight turn towards you
and Your heart fills with compassion.
You don’t stop there.
You race to me.
You don’t see the rags, the dirt, the sin coating me.
You only see me.
You see me.
Me.
And You run to embrace me and hold me forever.
Lord, Your words don’t condemn, but welcome me home as Your child.
Your embrace brimming with Love.
Always love.
I know sometimes I lose comments when writing on other blogs too. I love it that you and I both attend churches who follow the lectionary so our posts build up each other. So glad we have connected!! Blessing on your week, Colleen.
I wrote a comment but can’t find it!
Just wanted you to know I love this reflection. I am especially touched by – You see me.
The lovesick Father – if we all knew Him that way, what a blessing.
Connie that is one of my favorites books too. The sermon I listened to on Sunday featured the painting Nouwen so loved and wrote about. Interesting to hear the details again. Thanks for stopping by!
This is one of my favorite parables, Karen. so full of so many lessons
No I haven’t read Tim Keller’s book. I will look for it. I know Henri Nouwens book about the Prodigal is great too. Thanks for the recommendation!
I’m so thankful for that story in The Bible. One of my favorite books is Henri Nouwen’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son.”
Jeanie, I love that picture/story of how our Father loves us. Thanks
Dear Jean
This story never ceases to fill my heart with joy. My very first post on my blog was about this parable. That running into His Loving Embrace.
Much love, my friend
Mia
Without reaching the word “prodigal,” simply seeing the graphic, Jean, I knew this was about The Prodigal Son. Have you read Timothy Keller’s The Prodigal God? Highly recommend it if not.
—
Chrid