Coming Home

 

Flowers now blooming in our front yard.

"...But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him..." Luke 15:20

Growing up in church, I have heard the story of the Prodigal Son many times. However, this past year the story has come alive for me in a way I never could have imagined. For 457 days my child was away from home. For 457 nights I didn't know where she was sleeping. For 457 rotations of the earth, it was unknown to me if she was safe or if she would ever come back to her family. 457 days.

In the story of the Prodigal Son we don't know how many days the son was away from home. We do know it was long enough to spend all of his money, try to fix the problem himself, and eventually hit rock bottom. Perhaps he was gone 457 days...perhaps longer. 

We also don't know how the father felt while his son was away. I would imagine his journal would be an interesting read. We do know he felt compassion which caused him to run to his son. I understand how he felt.

Healing and restoration takes time. Everything isn't perfect, and there is a long road ahead of putting broken pieces back together. But when my daughter called, we were filled with compassion and we ran to her. For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful for her future and our relationship. For 457 days my child was lost and now she is found.