To the Child Who Walked Away

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

Luke 15:20

I saw you yesterday thinking about someone who walked away from you, and your heart ached in a way only someone who has truly loved like that can understand. Maybe that someone is a child, a sibling, a friend who chose a different path and took a whole piece of you along in the parting.

I know what that's like better than you imagine, far better. I have children who walk away from Me every single day, all the time, and yet I stand still on the road, staring fixedly at the horizon, waiting to recognize the footsteps coming home. I never give up waiting for those I love, no matter how long it takes.

Today I want to lend you a little of My patience as a father who waits. You don't have to run after them, forcing a return that isn't time for yet. Stay by the window, with your heart open, without ever locking the door for good. I know how to throw a real celebration when someone comes back, even after a long time away from home.