March 14

Luke 15:11-32

I heard the “Prodigal Son” Bible story many times as a child and loved it.  I could visualize the son leaving his family for a fun adventure until things changed and the son was hungry, cold and alone.  My favorite part was when the son walked down the road afraid about his father’s reaction, and his father ran out to greet him.  That was the best part because it taught me about unconditional love.  Even though the son had done things that his father did not like, his father still loved him and welcomed him home.  There was peace and security within the lesson, and I felt warm and loved. 

As an adult, I think of a forever kind of unconditional love.  This past year I have lost my mother, mother-in-law, brother-in-law and a dear family friend.   As my family and I dealt with each devastating loss, we remained strong because of the Father’s promise of eternity.   A favorite song, “Amazing Grace” was sung at each funeral.    Somehow the song kept going through my mind as I thought of the prodigal son.  “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!  I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.”  I just know that the prodigal son must have been singing that song as he saw his father run toward him.  How his heart must have leaped with joy.  The father was so happy when the son arrived, and it must have been like that in Heaven when Jesus greeted each of my wonderful family members.  We all have hope that we will be welcomed that same way, as imperfect as we are.   “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise that when we’d first begun.”  Praise God.