Can I Come Home?

We who are parents, know too well the challenges and rewards of having and raising children. There is a cycle of life that occurs that will make you weep with joy, laugh until your sides ache, and cry till your heart almost breaks. When children are babies, and are just learning to walk, they will cling to us as parents for fear of falling. Yet, the sense of discovery will win them over and their own independence will kick in. Before we know it we’re seeing them leave for high-school. One day, without warning, the call of the world wins, and they, or we are gone. Suddenly, the house is silent, with only the laughter of Christmas past being left in the walls. Parents will worry and prematurely age overnight, wondering if their children are safe. Not knowing is the hardest part.

This is much the same with God. We are His children, and as we grow up in the world, He may be assigned to a back seat, and many times be forgotten about. Yes, we will enjoy the thrill of life and it’s experiences. We’ll make a few dollars and some will claim to be self-made.  Life will become so time assigned that God will not be given an appointment in our calendar. Just like our babies, we will have released our grip on the very caring hands that carry us.

But God has a plan. He will allow our children, and us to go into the world and explore. We may never see the parenting hands that are constantly guarding our falls and footsteps, but they are there just the same. Then, one day it happens. Our children will come back. They will knock on our proverbial door and ask if they can come home. When we ever stray away from God for a season, we will do the same thing. We will knock on His heart and ask, Dad, can I come home? His answer, like ours will be, of course, this is your home. All of us will at one time or another, be the prodigal son, as in Luke 15:20-32. Some will leave a church body for whatever reason others will just lose their way for a while. God will patiently wait, and so should we. There should always be an open door, and welcoming arms when someone returns. It may be our children, or our friends. In God’s eyes, they’re the same. Nothing will warm the hearts of the temporary lost like the words, welcome home.

So, to all the children and those who have distanced themselves from God, fear not, the door is unlocked, the porch light is on, and your place at the table is waiting. Can you, or I come home? Yes, always.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com