Waiting Patiently

Scripture – Luke 15:17-20: 17“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So 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.

Reflection: “When he came to his senses….” What a powerful phrase that is. What a moment of grace. I’ve experienced it many times. Many years ago, I ran off like the younger son in this story. I was going to invent a whole new life for myself. It, of course, didn’t work. After I crashed and was in the process of burning, I came to my senses. It was a humbling experience, but a healing one. I began winding my way back home.

The second part of today’s reading shows a father watching for his son’s return. I can picture the father looking down the road every day. Then one day, he catches a glimpse of someone coming. He ran to his son and embraced him. When I finally made it home my mother was waiting. There was no hassle – no questions. I was welcomed home – by my mother and by God.

By His grace, I experienced a new beginning. I still had a few blips along the way, but in all of my life, I never stopped being my mother’s son. I never stopped being loved and looked after by God.

So I work at being patient with people – people I see wandering off in self-destructive directions. I keep the door open. I love them. I trust they will one day come to their senses. And I welcome them when they come home.