“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:18-20).

Ron walked down the main concourse in the airline terminal of his hometown. He was apprehensive about returning to his parents after he had angrily stormed out of their home in which he was living. Even though he was twenty-four, Ron had never left home, seldom had a good paying job, often rebelled against his parents’ convictions, and became angry because they refused to allow his girlfriend to move into his room with him. God was always one step ahead of Ron though. When his car broke down (not to be fixed) in Colorado, God had Mike. On the plane heading home, God had Pastor Pete. Now he would face his parents. His apology was already memorized. He would not make excuses. He only would apologize for his actions, words, and attitudes. He wouldn’t blame his parents if they wouldn’t forgive him. In fact, he wouldn’t blame his parents if they even didn’t come to the airport to pick him up. He deserved nothing after the terrible things he had said. As he left the terminal concourse and rode the descending steps to the baggage claim, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Mom and Dad, most of his relatives, the pastor from his parents’ church and many of the friends from their church stood waiting from him. As soon as he stepped onto the floor, his sister held up the sign, “Welcome Home, Ron!” Before he could begin his apology, his father ran to him, embraced him, and wept on his neck. “It’s so good to have you back, son. We were so worried!” he said to Ron as he continued embracing him. It was far beyond what he had ever imagined. How about you? Is there someone to whom you need to apologize or is there someone you need to forgive?

For today: Life is short. Forgiveness is essential.