Well, almost one year later and one year wiser….ok, maybe just one
year later. I debated not coming back to this blog fearing how ridiculous I
would look, but then I figured, what do I have to lose? So, like the humble
prodigal, I am back.
The parable of the prodigal son is actually one of my favorite
parables. We all know the story: A younger son gets his inheritance and
promptly squanders it. Then after struggling and starving returns to beg forgiveness.
The father not only forgives but celebrates his return with a huge party. The
older “faithful” son returns and is angry that he had never been honored in such
a way and refuses to welcome his brother.
We all have had experiences when we, like the prodigal son,
make foolish mistakes or squander our God-given gifts. We all have felt the
sorrow and regret that inevitably follows such choices. But I think many of us
are, at times, like the older brother without even realizing it.
Imagine the scene: after putting in a full day of honest
work, as he always did, he returns to see his foolish younger brother- who
brought so much shame upon himself- dressed in a fine robe and feasting on the
fatted calf with his father. A little irritation would be understandable, but
the older brother’s mistake was not in this irritation, it was the fact that he
made a judgment without understanding the totality of what had occurred.
He hadn’t seen his younger brother suffer for his mistakes.
He hadn’t seen him starve. He hadn’t seen the sorrow and shame as he worked as
a servant feeding pigs. He wasn’t there when the prodigal humbly begged their father
to forgive him and to let him return, not as a son, but as a servant. He had
seen none of this. He saw only the fine robe and fatted calf and, felt
justified in his anger and judgment.
When we see something we deem unfair, or see someone making
choices we think are wrong and feel justified in our judgment or anger, we
forget that we only see part of the story.
Only one person sees and understands all. He knows our
weaknesses. He has seen every struggle we have passed through, every triumph,
and every tear. He knows how our life experiences have shaped us for the good
and bad. Even those closest to us only see part of all that is in our heart.
Therefore, He is the only person qualified to make any judgment. And, like the
father in the parable, He will always lovingly welcome us back, full of pure
understanding, anytime we return to Him. I have experienced this in my life and
I can tell you there is nothing sweeter.
