Today's Word
"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion."
Luke 15:20
Today's Reflection
The prodigal son does not deserve the welcome he receives.
He knows it.
He has rehearsed a speech: make me one of your servants.
He does not expect to be run toward, embraced, feasted.
The father in this story is not being naive.
He knows exactly what his son has done.
He chooses to receive him anyway.
This is not comfortable theology.
We would prefer a God who keeps score,
who makes us earn our way back,
who at least makes us feel the weight of what we have done.
But that is not the father in this story.
The father in this story runs.
Whatever you have done, whatever distance you have put between yourself and God,
he can already see you.
He is already running.
Today's Prayer
Lord, I have been the prodigal son.
I have spent what was given to me on things that did not satisfy.
I have gone a long way off.
Thank you for running toward me anyway.
Help me to receive that welcome
without trying to earn it first.
Amen.
Today's Call
Is there something you have been too ashamed to bring to God?
Bring it today.
He has already seen you.
He is already running.