Listen

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:20b-24

Think

When toys find themselves lost in the Toy Story movies, we expect that, by the end of the movie, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the rest will return safely to their owner. We expect that, although they are lost, they will eventually be found.

Do we have hope that we will be found when we feel lost? Is that what we expect?

Imagine the younger son shaking nervously on his way home, repeating over and over in his head something perfectly crafted to tell his father. Imagine the hunger and exhaustion he was wearing. What would his dad say when he came home dressed in shame?

No matter how low the hope and how high the doubt was for the younger son, his dad met him with compassion. His dad was happy that he came home, arranging celebration rather than punishment, and dressed him in love.

This is God with us – celebrating when we are found.

Jessalyn Brown

Pray

God,

You meet me with compassion every time and for that I am thankful. I know that no matter how low the hope and how high the doubt, I can trust that you will delight in my return to you. I am found!

Amen.

Go

As the day flows and your mind goes, may your thinking mirror God’s.