Come Home, Son

Come Home, Son

You’ve wandered long enough, far enough. It’s time to come home.

Have you found what you sought?

What was it, anyway?

What drew you away from your Father’s house?

What induced you to demand what was “yours,” as if you had earned it by your own hard labor, or deserved the patrimony that would come to you by my free gift?

What lured you away from my steady love, my protection, provision and care?

Did you want to make a name for yourself – like the builders of Babel?

Did you think that the delights of this ephemeral world satisfy the hunger and thirst of your immortal soul?

Or were you just restless, driven, impelled to leave me, launch out on your own, perhaps even find yourself somewhere else?

Are you content? Happy?

How well do your erstwhile “friends” now like – not to mention love – you, now that your resources are expended and you have nothing left to give them?

Did you find what you were looking for in these companions in comfort, comrades in carousing, cohorts in crime?

You’re starving, I know, longing to eat one of the husks you feed the unclean swine of your stingy boss.

But would they stop the gnawing in your stomach?

You are coming to yourself; I see it from afar.

You know what I have to offer you, but you don’t know (yet) that it is yours to have – for free.

You are on the road, walking, now running.

I see your anxious look, know your doubting heart – will your Father yet take you back?

Your longing meets mine. I cast off my dignity and race towards you, arms outstretched.

“I am not worthy…”

“Hush, child. You are home. I am yours.

Welcome home, son.”

On reading Leighton Ford’s The Attentive Life.

The Kentucky Derby 2008 (1)

The Kentucky Derby 2008 (1)

Coming from Behind

Two horses and two men came from behind yesterday at the Kentucky Derby.

Big Brown, who won with a huge lead, was held back by his jockey until it was time for a final sprint, which he accomplished easily, finishing strong and seeming fresh.

Eight Belles, the only filly in the field, likewise came from behind to finish a good second, several lengths ahead of the third place runner.

Big Brown’s jockey, Kent Desormeaux, had won the Derby twice before, but then went into a personal and professional slump for several years. Yesterday presented him with a chance for a big comeback, and he triumphed.

The same goes for Big Brown’s trainer, Rick Dutrow, Jr. Saddened by tragedy in his private life and failing in his work, he raised some hackles by boasting all week long about his horse. At the finish line, however, his bragging was vindicated and he overflowed with indescribable joy.

It gives you hope, doesn’t it? The saying, “It’s not over until it’s over” remains true. Past failure and present frustrations do not dictate future possibilities.

So, let’s keep on keeping on. Maybe we’ll come from behind, too.

Typo

Alas, I allowed a typo into one of the very first posts! I meant, of course, “What does God like?”

But this gives me a chance to admit, up front, that this blog will feature many mistakes, not by design but of necessity, since this blogger is both finite and fallen.

So, What is God like? must be answered, in part, with these comforting words: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” Psalm 103:8

I’m back

It’s been quite a while since I ventured into Blogland, mostly because I couldn’t figure out how to use the thing. Now I am hoping to post more often, partly to spare those around me from my incessant comments on all sorts of things, in season and out of season.

Feel free to respond, positively or negatively, though I may not answer you back immediately or at all. I do have a day job that occupies most of my time.

Talk to you soon, I hope!

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