Father and Son
There is a story about a Spanish father who longs to be reunited with his estranged son, so he places an advertisement in a local newspaper that reads:
“Paco, meet me at the Hotel Montana at noon on Tuesday”
When the father goes to the hotel in the hope his son had responded to his advert, he discovers 800 young men by the name of Paco - all longing for forgiveness from their father. The story does not tell us if the man finds his ‘Paco’ in amongst them.
The bible tells another story of a father and an estranged son. A young man who leaves his father with the intent of fulfilling all of his own selfish desires, believing he is able to find more by himself than he thinks his father can provide for him, but he soon finds himself in trouble:
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
(Luke 15:13-14)
But the son comes to his senses and returns home:
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”
(Luke 15: 17,18)
We see this father welcoming back his son – as we see a picture our Heavenly Father throwing open His arms to welcome back every son (or daughter) who has looked for fulfilment outside of the presence of their Father.
When we return to our heavenly Father, we find complete and absolute forgiveness - the weight of guilt removed and joy unspeakable flowing from our heart. In this story we can be assured that all estranged sons and daughters are fully restored.
A Prayer:
Father knowing all that I have done whilst away from You - Your offer of forgiveness is overwhelming. I now receive it with gladness and joy. Thank you. Amen.