[Jesus speaking]
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. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

I have a four-year-old son, Zeke, and he is such a fun, energetic kid. When I leave for work, he likes to line up on the other side of the house and run to me, full steam ahead. He then jumps into my arms. I remember doing this when I was a kid too.

Jesus starts out the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father”. When I pray through the phrases in this prayer almost every day, and meditate on the meaning behind them, I visualize something quite incredible: I see myself running and jumping into the arms of God like my 4-year-old does. And then I sit on his lap and spend time with him.

I think one of the greatest pictures of love in this parable was that the rejected Father, whom the son rebelled against, was still looking out to see if his son would return. And when the son had reached bottom and came back to his senses, his father was waiting to welcome him into his arms, without judgment. He ran out to him!

God does this for us everyday. He is waiting for you and me to come to him. And we can run into his arms, just like my little 4-year-old runs into my arms. His love does not count our sins against us when we repent and follow his Son, who he sent to save us.

Another thing I like about God is that he knows how to cook meat and throw a party. He celebrates our successful humbling of ourselves and he does not focus on our past deficiencies, only our future potential in him!

Thank you, Lord, for being so patient with this stubborn man who rebels from your ways time and again. May you teach me to turn back to you quickly if I fall away. And may I encourage others to do the same!