2: Starting Fresh

The smell must have been unbearable. 

The rotten gruel on his coat would never come out. 

The walk back home must have been embarrassing and demoralizing. 

He must have thought to himself, "Dad's going to be so angry when he sees me. What am I going to do?"

I wonder if he even still had shoes to walk the dirt path home.

God, he was a mess. 

He wasted his life doing the things that he wanted to do.

I wouldn't want to be around someone of such low character,

let alone someone who smelled like that.

The disgusting image of this son is highly contrasted to the love of his father, who at the first sight of his son, ran to him.

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

"QUICK! Bring the best robe and put it on him."

Is this for real? Why did Jesus choose to tell this story of this son who chose to take his inheritance and leave the family?

I relate to this guy though... sometimes I just feel so discouraged with things with the family of Christ, that I just want to cut my losses and leave. Sometimes I wish that I didn't have to be under the "house rules" and I could just live the way that I want. The thought, "it would be nice to be free" comes to mind.

I am reminded that the world produces the fruit similar to what this son had to go through: the bottom of a pigs feeding trough. 

So God. I'm here. Dirty, smelly, and just completely unacceptable to be in your house. I'll walk to your house, ready to tell you that I have sinned against you. I'm ready to tell you that I am not worthy to be called your son. Just take me in, as a slave or a servant.

Are you going to run to me?

Are you going to wrap your arms around me?

Are you going to clothe me in new robes?

Even if you don't. I'm sorry for leaving in the first place.