I damaged two cars, but it could’ve been worse…

I’ve shared this story before, and it still makes me cringe:

I once hit our one car… with our other car. I know. It’s bad. 🫣

Easily one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. Huge shoutout to my dad for not losing his cool in that moment. He forgave me with such grace.

But honestly? It could’ve been way worse.

I could’ve taken a third of his wealth, disappeared to a foreign land, and spent it all on parties and fake friends—like the younger son in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

That would’ve been way harder to forgive, right?

And yet the father in Jesus' story does exactly that; he forgives his son and welcomes him back with open arms.

There’s great significance in all the elements of the father’s response in the parable (Luke 15:11-32), and it shows us how God receives us, His sons and daughters, when we have sinned:

1. He ran to him. The son was walking home in shame, expecting rejection. But the father, breaking all social norms, ran toward him. In that culture, dignified men didn’t run. But this father didn't care about appearances—he took the shame upon himself to restore his son (Romans 10:11).
2. He put a robe on him. This symbolized that he clothed him, covering his rags, dirt, and shame, restoring his dignity (Isaiah 61:10).
3. He gave him a ring. This was likely the son’s first possession after losing everything. He was being restored in wealth, taken out of poverty (Psalm 34:10).
4. He prepared the fattened calf. He fed his son, who had come home tired and starving, taking care of his physical needs (Psalm 146:7).
5. He threw a party. Despite everything he had done wrong, the father celebrated and publicly honoured his son (Zephaniah 3:17).
6. He kissed him and put sandals on his feet. You don’t kiss a stranger, slave, or servant, but you kiss a relative. The same applies to sandals; only sons and daughters wore shoes. By welcoming him back as a son, not only did the father show great grace, but he also made his estate and wealth available to him again. He was entitled to another inheritance even though he squandered the first.😲 He trusted him and gave him another chance (Romans 8:17).

Are there things in your life you need to repent from? Sins, bad habits, destructive thought patterns? Choose today to run away from them and into the loving arms of your Heavenly Father. I guarantee you, He’s waiting with open arms.

Hey! You are a Chamatkar.

Jenny Mendes