a second chance for a son

20 "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.21 His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' 22 "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.

The story of the prodigal son is awesome. I love the story. In my quiet time this morning I read this passage again, and the verses above struck me in a big way.

As I close the day, lets make some parallels come alive from these verses:

1 ---- the father ran to the son when he saw him coming home

The father was excited and so ready to welcome the son home. That is what our heavenly Father will do for us. He desires for us to come back to Him. Some people need to come to Him for the first time no matter who we are or what we have done.

2 --- the son confessed his pain and wrongs to his father

With the son's confession came the father's forgiveness. The same is true for us when we come to God. He is ready to forgive when we are ready to turn from the wrong way we have chosen. We serve the God of "second chances" and we need to be people who offer others "second chances".

3 --- the father began to bless the son

All the son had to do was to come home and back to his father. The exact same thing will happen when we come to God. He is ready and willing to bless our lives and to remind us of His endless love toward us.

I love this story of a "second chance" for a son. God has given me second chances. Has he done the same for you? We can offer others the same. Stop judging and condemning others. Begin to offer grace instead of harsh words. Offer a hug and acceptance rather than looking down your nose.

Here is one more way to practice ARK's (acts of random kindness) as we move to Easter. Be people who offer "second chances" to the people you come in contact with.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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