You can’t go home again – statement of fact or the title of a 1940 novel by Thomas Wolfe? Both, perhaps? While those words are the title of a novel by Wolfe, they aren’t necessarily always true in all situations. Sometimes you can go home again. Consider the situation of the prodigal son. He collected his inheritance and left home for good. Or so he thought. He never intended to return home, BUT – when his situation changed, he changed his mind and decided to return home. What happened? How was he received? The following words tell us everything we need to know.

“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.” (Luke 15:20)

Sound familiar? This story of the prodigal son’s return is universal. It gives hope to those of us who feel there is no going back, no way to return because we have burned the bridges that once connected us to those we love. BUT – this parable from God’s word tells us something different. Just as the father welcomed the return of his son with open arms, so, too, will my Heavenly Father welcome me back with open arms.

And there’s more. The father of the prodigal didn’t wait for his son to fully arrive, but when he saw his son “still a long way off”, the father ran out to meet him with open arms. He did not wait for his son to travel the remaining distance between them alone. Instead, the son was able to travel the remaining distance of his long journey in the company of his father – the father he had run away from so long ago.

This son, who had turned his back on his father and on his family, was not only allowed to return home, he was welcomed back home with open arms. This returning son was embraced and he was celebrated. In fact, his father threw a huge welcome home party to commemorate his son’s return. Here’s what happened –

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:21-24)

I guess you can go home again! That’s really good news for those of us who fear we have wandered too far from God, so far that we believe we cannot go home again. But God’s word says otherwise to us. Jesus taught this parable of the prodigal son’s return and the subsequent restoration of his relationship with his father to illustrate what is possible for me and for you, dear readers.

The story of the prodigal son gives each one of us hope. We can know that our Heavenly Father eagerly awaits our return each time we choose to leave like the dissatisfied son did or each time we find we have wandered farther than we ever meant to go. I may have lost my way BUT – I can find my way home again! I can go home again! And when I do, I will find my Heavenly Father running towards me with His arms wide open. I know this because I can count on the truth of these words –

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.” (Isaiah 30:18)

I can know that my heavenly Father will meet me with open arms, welcoming me back into fellowship with Him, forgiving me and giving me right standing with Him once again. To that end, I find these words especially reassuring –

” ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20)

I will receive a warm welcome when I return home to my Heavenly Father. So will you, dear readers. All of us prodigals will be welcomed with open arms and a party will be thrown for each one of us – just like the party the father in the parable gave to welcome his son back home. God will throw a party for me. He will throw a party for you, too. It will be a no holes barred, all out celebration of joy and rejoicing. God’s word says so.

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. . . . In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:7 & 10)

Has your life, like mine when apart from my Heavenly Father, become like the prodigal son’s life – a life full of disillusionment, disaster and despair?

“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 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! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.” (Luke 15:14-20)

We know what happened next – his father welcomed him back with open arms. Perhaps it’s time to believe the truth and return home to God’s open arms and warm welcome. Why would I continue living apart from my Heavenly Father when He is watching and waiting for my return and has a party already planned to welcome me home. God’s arms are open. I can go home again!

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

sincerely, Grace Day