“I will get up, go to my father, and tell him I’m sorry. That I’m really, really sorry.”

Jason sighed deeply and slid down the wall to a seated position. He squeezed his eyes shut for a long moment. “But I spent my early inheritance on girls, booze, and fun – and worse, I turned my back on him. Why would he forgive me?”

Jason sat up straighter and almost smiled (the first time he’d felt like smiling in months). Talking to the empty liquor bottle in his hand, he said, “What if I go back home and ask Dad if I can sleep on the garage floor? I’ll eat leftovers – if he’ll give ‘em to me.” His stomach growled. “I’ll wash and wax his cars, mow the grass, clean the gutters, weed the garden, paint the house or do anything else he needs.”

Jason slung his backpack over his shoulder and took his first steps toward home.

Still a long way off, he could barely see the fence surrounding the house he’d once called home. He wiped the sweat from his eyes.

In the distance, he saw a man running toward him.

As the gap closed, Jason recognized the familiar figure. “Dad?’ Why is he running? I’ve never seen him run so fast.” He blinked, then blinked again. “He must be madder than I thought.” Jason turned to run.

“Jason? Jason! Don’t turn away. Wait!”

Exhausted and desperate, he waited. As his father drew near, Jason could feel his heart pounding.

To his surprise, his father threw his arms around him, wrapping him in a crushing hug. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Jason hesitated, but only for a moment. Burying his face in his father’s shoulder, he sobbed. “Dad, I’m so sorry.”

 “I forgive you. Come, let’s celebrate your return.”

I love this story based on Luke 15:11-24 on the prodigal son. It sometimes brings tears to my eyes when I think about how much God loves me and how quickly He forgives me – even when I turn my back on Him.

Take a minute and think about the beauty of our heavenly Father’s love for us. For you.

Like Jason, we may hesitate, unsure if God will truly welcome us back. But His love is greater than our doubts. Greater than our failures.

Is it time for you to rise and go to your heavenly Father? Wouldn’t now be a good time to take that first step toward a closer relationship with God?

Your Father is waiting for you.

What about you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)

• What’s holding you back from taking that first step toward a closer relationship with God?

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