The Loving Father

A son leaves home and makes mistakes, but his father keeps watching the road, ready to welcome him back with open arms.

Once there was a kind father who had two sons. The younger son had a restless heart and wanted to leave home. So he asked his father for his share of the family money, packed his things, said goodbye, and set off down the road to a faraway land.

In that faraway place he spent and spent until every coin was gone. The fun ran out, his pockets were empty, and his tummy began to rumble. Soon he was so hungry that he took a job feeding pigs — and even the pigs’ food began to look good to him. He was all alone, very far from home.

One quiet day he remembered his father’s warm house. “I will go back to my father,” he thought, “and tell him I am truly sorry.” With a hopeful little heart, he stood up and started the long, dusty walk home.

His father had been watching the road every single day, hoping and waiting. While the son was still far, far away, the father spotted a small figure coming. His heart leaped, and he ran down the road to meet him!

The father wrapped his arms around his son and hugged him tight, kissing his dusty cheek. “Welcome home! Welcome home!” he said, his eyes shining with happy tears. He called for the very best robe and wrapped it around his son, then slipped a ring on his finger and sandals on his tired feet. “Prepare the fattened calf, and let us have a joyful feast together,” he said, “for my son was lost, and now he is found!”

When the older brother came in from the field and heard the music, he felt cross and would not go in. But the father came outside to him too and said gently, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” Jesus told this gentle story so we would always know something wonderful. God is just like that loving father, watching the road for us. No matter where we have been, He is always waiting to welcome us home with great joy.

Thank You, God, for loving me no matter what. Help me remember that You are always happy when I come close to You.