But when he came to his senses…  Luke 15:17a (NAS)

And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  Luke 15:20 (NAS)

Have you ever felt unlovable? The prodigal son did. He was starving and filthy and had squandered his inheritance on debased living. When he came to the end of himself, he decided to go home and ask if he could be a servant in his father’s house, because he wasn’t good enough to be a son. But what he was really feeling was his father’s heart calling out to him. The father had never given up hope. He was waiting and watching for his son with tremendous, unwavering love. And when he saw his broken son at a distance, the father ran to him and restored him to his rightful identity as a son, not a servant. This is how our heavenly Father loves us. He calls to us in our shame, rejoices when we come to Him, and graciously restores us to our identity as His beloved child.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your endless, unchanging love. Thank You for lifting us up when we stumble or fall. You renew us by Your kindness and restore us by Your grace. We are blessed beyond measure. We are Yours.

I love You, Lord.

Amen.