Amazing Grace – Welcome Home
I’ve heard this song since I was small kid and it had been going on for generations. When I first realized my need for grace, the song had a much stronger hold on me.
This morning I came across the story of the Prodigal son. I feel like I understand both sides of the same story because I’ve played both main parts many times over. I can relate to the son because I’ve done some stupid things in the “distant country”. I’ve wandered off from the faith and thankfully I’ve wandered back home. As the story goes, the younger son got all his stuff together and headed to a distant country where he lived for a while. The economy crashed and his money was gone, he began to be in need. While feeding the hogs and getting so hungry that their food looked good, he came to his senses. Check this out….
17 “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! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 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. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:17-24 NIV)I can also relate to the Dad. When I first became I Dad, I received insight into the heart of God. I began to understand my Heavenly Father in a whole new way. My understanding of God’s heart expanded big time. I remember thinking that there is nothing that my children could do to make me not love them. My perspective changed in many ways after becoming a Dad. I also now see how much I’ve hurt my parents over the years when I don’t come around so much. I learned how to be a better son by being a Dad. The same scenario has happened in my relationship with my Heavenly Father – I’ve learned to be a better son after I became a Dad. I have still messed around some in the “distant country” and made some pretty big mistakes, but I’m thankful that I can return home and put my feet under His table and be welcomed home. That is truly amazing grace lived out. Jesus told this story to explain the Fathers incredible and intense love for me!
Pressing On! Dwayne