In his book, Moments for Mothers, Robert Strand wrote about the conflicts of a family in Glasgow, Scotland.  After years of rebellion, a daughter finally rejected her parents, their values, and their faith.  She set out on her own to enjoy a life without restraints, but soon became enslaved to her liberated choices.

Years of misery followed as she lived on the streets, sold herself for pennies, and depended on rescue missions for survival.  Because of her self-imposed detachment from family, she didn’t know her father died, or that her mother never quit looking for her.  One day she saw a picture that her mom had posted in each of the city’s homeless shelters.  Scrawled across the photo of her mother were the words, “I love you still… come home!”

In wonder and disbelief she set out for her home in hopes that she was indeed still loved.  By the time she arrived it was the middle of the night.  Her heart raced as she stood on the porch and prepared to knock, but her countenance suddenly changed when she tapped on the door and it crept open.  She ran to her mother’s bedroom in fear that someone had broken in and harmed her.  She desperately reached for her mom and the woman awoke quickly to embrace her wayward daughter.  When the young woman explained her fears about the open door, her mother replied, “No dear. From the day you left, that door has never been locked.” *

The love and hopes of this mother reflect the love and hopes of the Father in Jesus’ story about the Prodigal Son (read Luke 15:11-24).

You and I can see ourselves in the prodigal son, for we have also chosen to go our own way into sin.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Yet, just like the Father in Jesus’ story, who represents our Heavenly Father, God still loves us and wants us to “come home” to Him.

And, He’s left the door unlocked so that we may enter.

God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).  Jesus paid the price for our sins and “opened up the door” for us to receive salvation, union with the Father, and the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

God will forgive, welcome home, and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

No matter how far you’ve wondered into the depths of sin, God says, “I love you still... come home.”

Won’t YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* Source: Chicken Soup For The Mother’s Soul, Canfield and Hansen as quoted in www.ministry127.com

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org