The Loving Father

There’s an old story about a man headed home in the crowded coach of a train. He noticed the young man sitting next to him by the window looked tired and a little anxious. Trying to be friendly, the man struck up a conversation with the boy.  

It turns out that the young man had wanted to join the army against his father’s wishes. Although underage, he ran away from home and tried to enlist in a city miles away. When he arrived, he was turned down because of his age. Too proud to return home in defeat, the young man was heartsick. His few dollars were soon gone. Hunger overcame his pride, and he wrote home for money. He received no answer. He sent another letter, but still no answer.

In desperation, the boy wrote to his father again. He related that on a given day he would be on a certain train that ran nearby his home place. If his parents would receive him at home, they were to put a white rag on the crab apple tree that sat near the train track. If he saw the rag there, he would get off at the station and come home. If no rag were there, he’d just stay on the train.

The boy grew restless as the train rumbled on toward his hometown. A lump caught in his throat, and his eyes filled with tears. “I can’t look,” he said. “I’m afraid.” The man put his arm around the boy’s shoulders. “It’s all right,” he said, “I’ll look for you.” The train whistled for the approaching station and slowed down. Suddenly the man put his hand on the boy’s knee and said, “Son, there’s not one white rag on the tree. But look! There is a white rag on every single limb!”

We know this story, don’t we? It is a story of someone we love being far from home – maybe even us. We’ve all seen this story played out somewhere in our lives, but not always with the same ending. I wish I could say that the prodigal child always returns home and that there is always a happy ending. But it just isn’t true. 

However, the story of the prodigal son and the loving father is indeed a story about God. It is a story about undeserved grace. And God the Father indeed awaits our return – not just once – but always. The Father is waiting – even now.

Let us pray: We thank you for your unconditional love and grace. We turn our hearts to you again this day; through Christ, we pray. Amen.