S&F-The Prodigal Son Part 2

In this little mini-series on the parable of the Prodigal Son, today I'd like to reflect on the younger son.  He's the ungrateful son who had the nerve to ask for his portion of the inheritance while his father was still very much alive only to go to a foreign land and waste it.  He found himself living as a slave, tending swine, envious of the food the pigs were getting.  Realizing he was at the lowest of lows, he decided to return to his father, asking for forgiveness.

As I stated yesterday, I have always felt an understanding of how the older brother felt.  Afterall the younger brother was the one who wasted his money and now was crawling back to his father looking for a handout, only to be celebrated for his return.

But over the last few years, as I have gotten closer to my faith I also see in myself the younger son.  I didn't go to Las Vegas and blow all my money but there were times when I could definitely look back and see myself distant from my Heavenly Father and wasting the gifts he has given me in life.

In the bible it says the younger son "Came to his senses" and returned to the father.  My journey back to my Father is long and ongoing.  I, like the other son have realized my mistakes, and hope that someday I will be able to tell him with conviction,

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son"

Let us all hope when we meet Our God he will dress us in the finest of robes, place rings on our fingers and sandals on our feet.  That He will celebrate our return to Him just as the father in the parable celebrated son's return.

For all of us, at some level, was lost and hopefully someday will be found in God's Kingdom.