The Lost Son

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is so inspiring to me.
I think about it quite often.
Because the Lord has been showing me so much about having that beautiful relationship between a Father and His Daughter...I often think about this.
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Luke 15:11-32
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It's not the fact of course, that the son left his father and job to venture out into the "real" world.
But it's that the dad never gave up on his son.
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Verse 20 always pops out in my mind.
Ok. So This guy has two sons and one decided to take his share of the estate and go out into the "real" world. The Bible says that not long after he got his share he left.
-Wait.
-He left? Just like that?
-This takes some time to think about.
-He had been planning this for a while.
--This takes time to plan, and pack.
-You don't just get your share and leave.
-(And you don't pack your bags that fast.)
He spent everything he had and became so poor and desperate for food he ate from the troughs that the pigs ate from. He was so ashamed and so badly wanted to go back.
-He "hit rock bottom" and wanted to go back to his father.
-He felt so ashamed that he settled for begging to be a servent.
-He didn't feel worthy to be called "son."

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So now on to verse 20.
And seriously. When I sit down and think about it, it hits me again as much as the first time. Like a belt to my face.

"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him." -The Message.

Wait a second.
When he was still a long way off?
When his father saw him?
From far away?
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His dad didn't just see him, he's been waiting for him.
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I don't doubt for a second that his dad was hurt and disappointed.
That the life he gave his son was not "exciting" or "fulfilling" enough for him.
But that didn't stop him once his son left;
His dad knew in his heart; he hoped with all his heart that his son would come back and return home.
He watched day and night, never giving up on his son.

Many people would be so mad and disown or have a hard time forgiving their kid for doing this action.
But all this dad wanted was his son.
-To be able to hold him, and tell him how much he loves him.
-To be able to say "Welcome Home Son. I love You."


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Does this remind you of anyone?
Maybe our Dad?
Our loving, star-breathing Dad?


If you are a Christian, think about how many years it took you to truly have a relationship with your Father.
Do you think Jesus gave up on you?
Do you think He hung up His hat and called it quits?

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Or do you think that Jesus has been watching for you;
Day
and
Night.
?
If you are struggling, Jesus is not going to give up on you.
He is watching the field, waiting for you to come home.
-So He can hold you and tell you how much He loves you.
-So He can be your Dad.
-He wants to tell you "Welcome home, Child. I've prepared a place for you."
Simple as that.

If you don't know Jesus, I don't care how old you are.
He is out there, watching the field; waiting for you.
He is waiting for His lost child.-Just as the father was waiting for his son.

Jesus Loves You.
Forever.
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