It feels a little strange around the house with the eldest off to college. He’s not far away, yet there is a strange emptiness around here. There is something to be said for less dishes and laundry, but mostly I miss him. I miss our conversations, and yes I miss the drumming. His absence has given me a glimpse of the pure joy God must feel when we return to Him.
Recently, he returned home for weekend. He ended up coming home earlier than expected. I heard the front door and new it was him. My heart leapt with joy, literally. I felt it in my chest. I was so excited to see him. I didn’t know joy could feel like that. It reminded me of the story of the prodigal son and the pure joy described in this story.
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15: 11-21 NIV)
This parable is an example of how God delights in us returning to Him. Whether it has been a lifetime or a few months, He still runs to throw His arms around us. We are His pure joy.
How have you experience joy? How do you feel when something lost is found? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.