Lost and Found...

"How happy I am to see myself imperfect and to be in need of God's mercy." -- St Therese of Lisieux

I love the story of the Prodigal Son. It is a favorite of mine because it so clearly shows unconditional love and how God in his mercy can love in and through everything. What's so interesting to me about the story as well is that the son essentially asked his father if he could squander his life and the father just let the son go. Now I don't think he was a bad father for doing that--I think he was a wise father. I think he knew that there are some people who only learn from doing. They have to touch everything and experience everything without even knowing that that is there goal. I think the father waited, prayed, and hoped, knowing that God does not disappoint. He waited knowing that like the money he gave to his son will get spent up, so, also, the world would lose its luster. 


When the son finally lost everything, the one thing he remembered was his father's house. The Son remembered his roots knowing that, there is no disappointment there. There is love there. That if he made the effort (by God's grace) he could find a place there again. That even though he abused the father's love and used him and deceived him, that he was still his blood, and that no matter the bad he did--he could still have a place to call home. The bottom line is that no matter the sin--no matter the damage done, he felt that he could some how come back to the father. The father left his arms open and let the son go. I'm sure the father was in pain and he was sad and that he pleaded for his sons life from God, but he also knew that God's ways were not his ways, and that God somewhere, somehow allowed this son of his to hurt him knowing that there was a greater purpose to come.


God has a funny way of building virtue, greater love, and bringing healing to our hearts. It does not always come packaged very pretty. Sometimes he gives us a crown of thorns and well, all I want to say to Jesus is: "umm, excuse me I did not ask for this---or can you give me a crown that may not prick as much!"  He gives us what we need and not what we want. So why do people walk away from God? I don't know. I feel that we deceive ourselves and others for an illusive experience. What we are all seeking is love and I believe that is what is being sought in the world. It can just never be a love without limits.

So what does all this have to do with all of those who don't leave....like the other son.  We labor and do our part...Is that son better or worse then the other son?  The other son who stayed back worked hard and labored for the father, but where was his heart and his understanding of love and mercy. He wanted his own share of his father's kingdom and really could care less that his wayward brother came home. He was resentful of the fact that he does work hard and asks for nothing...his brother squanders everything and comes back to a feast...I can see where the other son gets a little bit annoyed.  He needed to realize that he is not loved for the things that he does.  He needed to find a freedom in knowing that his work does not make him worthy of the Father's love but that the Father's love is freely given and we must be free and open to receive it. 


Both sons were longing to understand the father's love in there hearts.  One experienced by leaving, one experienced by staying. Both of them experienced that it is love that needs to be the foundation in us, it is love that must be our goal, it is love that must always be what reminds us that no matter the sin, no matter the damage, no matter the hurt we personally experience, we always have a home in the heart of the Father.