Not that our spaniel/setter mix wasn't above leaving his long red fur in strategic places (usually within close proximity to someone's black pants), but this was a considerable amount. And I had just vacuumed the couch the day before my husband and I left on an overnight trip to Hilton Head Island.
CSI would have been proud of me. After carefully analyzing the evidence, I realized what had happened. Since we were gone only two days, we had felt comfortable leaving Winston at home. A kind neighbor agreed to feed him and let him out periodically.
But Winston loves us. And life just wasn't the same without us. I realized he had spent the majority of those two days sitting on the couch waiting for us to return.
Winston reminds me of another faithful watcher.
The father of the prodigal watched daily for his son to return. Unlike Winston, though, this father watched with a broken heart. His beloved son had betrayed his trust, wantonly squandered a fortune, and brought shame to the family name. He had turned his back on everything that was good and right. Yet the father still watched.
He loved his son, and life just wasn't the same without him.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him. . . "
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'"
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'
And they began to celebrate.
Are you praying for a prodigal? If you'll leave his or her first name only in the comment box, it will be my privilege to join you in prayer for their return.
For another devotion on prodigals, please visit The Prodigal and the Penguin.
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