Broken By Circumstances...Forgiven Through Grace

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned…I am no longer worthy…’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe…Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf…Let’s have a feast and celebrate.’” Luke 15: 21-24

The father in this parable didn’t pay attention to what his son had so diligently rehearsed upon returning home. The father didn’t give weight to his son’s words but rather celebrated his actions. He was home…enough said. The same was true with my daughter when she was living apart from us during her drug addiction. Her words continuously told us she was sorry, was coming home and was turning away from her lifestyle of drugs. Her actions told another story which was her real truth.

The son’s appearance on the horizon told the story to his father. He was forgiven and restored to his previous status and position in the family. The boy’s discipline was in his consequences that he brought on himself. By the time he returned home he had suffered at the hands of his own doing which served as his discipline. The father didn’t have to do anything but celebrate. The same was true with me and my husband when Kristen appeared on the horizon humbled, repentant and hungry for reconciliation.

Discipline through consequences is that in-between stage between injury to relationship and reconciliation of fellowship. It is the work that must be completed before restoration may be returned and fellowship is deepened.

Christ acts much like this father. Sometimes He doesn’t chase after us when we ignore Him, set out for a distant country (our will) and become disobedient to His purpose. He knows the natural consequences of actions will bring on the downward spiral that will bring us to our knees. Words of promise of reconciliation will not suffice but only our appearance on the horizon with a broken heart and a defeated spirit desiring to return to our Father and to the heart of God.