“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
— Luke 15:24 NIV
I’m an old dog, and I spend a lot of time watching my human read his beat up old Bible.
The other day he was reading about the prodigal son.
Now I perked up when I heard about the younger boy taking off.
I know something about taking off.
One time I chased a squirrel across the neighborhood.
Thought I had found freedom.
Turns out freedom ain’t all it’s cracked up to be when you’re hungry, tired, and wondering how to get home.
That boy in Luke 15 left his father and wasted everything.
But what caught my attention wasn’t the son.
It was the dad.
That father kept looking down the road.
He didn’t lock the door.
He didn’t close up his son’s room.
He didn’t say, “You made your bed, now lie in it.”
Not at all…
When that boy finally came home, dirty and broken, Jesus said, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran…”
- Luke 15:20
Ran!
An older man in those days didn’t run much at all… but love made him run.
Now dogs know something about running.
I run when my human comes home from work.
Doesn’t matter if he’s had a good day or a bad day.
Doesn’t matter if he’s tired or worn slap out.
I’m just glad he’s home.
Tail wagging, tongue hanging out, pure joy.
Seems to me that’s how the Father in Heaven feels when one of His children comes back home.
My human says that’s grace.
I call it love with muddy paw prints.
I’ve seen my human pray for people who’ve wandered.
I’ve watched tears roll down his cheeks for folks who made bad choices.
And I’ve learned something lying beside his chair.
Good dads don’t quit loving.
They don’t stop hoping.
They don’t stop praying.
And our Heavenly Father doesn’t either.
Maybe you’re feeling like that prodigal son.
You’ve wandered, made mistakes, and wonder if you’ve gone too far.
Well, the Father is still watching the road.
From that dad and that story, this old dog has learned something important.
Home isn’t earned.
It’s received.
And when the Father welcomes you home, He doesn’t start a lecture.
He wraps you in grace and love.
No matter how far you’ve wandered, the Father is still looking down the road, ready to welcome you home.
Prayer: Father, thank You for loving us with a love that never gives up. Thank You for watching the road and welcoming us home through Jesus. Forgive us for the times we’ve wandered after the things of this world. Help us to remember that Your grace is greater than our failures and Your mercy is new every morning. Teach us to love others with the same compassion You’ve shown us. And when we’re weary and far away, remind us that home is found in Your arms. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
