Some of the hardest lessons we learn are through experience, but as parents it’s difficult for us to allow that to happen to our children.  We want to protect them from the world.  We want them to have it easier than we did.  We want the best for them.

God doesn’t want us to go through suffering or addiction or loss or bullying or anything that causes pain.  In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells a parable of the son of a rich man who decides he wants his inheritance in advance of his father’s death.  The loving father divides his estate and gives it to both sons.  The youngest goes out and spends every cent while the other stays home continuing to work for his dad.

When the money runs out, he reasons the only thing to do is to go back home and ask for forgiveness  We all know the outcome.  The father greets the wayward son with open arms.

The good son was pretty ticked off about this and let his dad know how he felt, but the  father explained it this way. The young son had learned his lesson and even though he was dead, he was now alive.

God looks at us in the same way.  When we come back to Him with true repentance in our hearts, His joy is overflowing.  He prepares a celebration for each who comes back to Him and asks for forgiveness.

When our children go astray and life gets ugly for them, we want to be there to pick them up, but there are times when the only way they can learn is through experience.  We’ve all lost our way, but our loving Father waits patiently with open arms.  Life lessons aren’t easy, but when God’s in your corner, you can depend on a great homecoming.