Where you are

In the life of a Christian, you hear the story of the Prodigal Son over and over.

So, hearing it this week was nothing new, but something smacked me in the spiritual face this time!

Don't know the story?? Here it is:

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Luke 15: 11-32

^"Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

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.

The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

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That son screwed up! His father gave him everything- gave him the world. But he squandered it all. He took for granted all that his father had done in order to provide all he needed for his life. When he realized the error of his ways, he returned home. He lessened himself in his own mind saying that he would go back and repent, but he just KNEW that his relationship would never be the same. He just KNEW that all he had done would forever separate him from his dad. He KNEW that he was unworthy to be called "son" so he was just going go home, to be in his dad's presence, but only from the outside looking in as hired help.

BUT ... his dad was so thrilled that he returned that he RAN TO HIS SON... the dad RAN to the kid! The dad knew that the kid messed up, and he didn't care. He was just so overjoyed that he was coming home, that he met him out in the field to bring him home! Dad didn't make his son a servant, instead dad had his servants SERVE HIM!!

I can't help but think how cool that is... that the dad saw him coming from way far away. And rather than waiting until he got all the way home to celebrate and welcome him back, he met him where he was. 

God is so good! When we screw up... even when we completely squander all of His blessings, he is ALWAYS ready to welcome us home. And he doesn't wait until we have all of our ducks in a row and have it all together and fixed. He meets us where we are. He sees our repentant hearts, and meets us where we are!!!!!

When I mess up in life, when I feel completely unworthy of His greatness, when I feel like I've hit rock bottom-  He still welcomes me with open arms- thrilled that I am ready to return. I may not be 100% on my Bible reading or praying, but He meets me right where I am, and guides me on home! 

I am so very glad to have a "Dad" like Him- who- no matter the mistake, He is ever-present and ever-loving!