The Prodigal Daughter

But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.” Luke 15:22-23 (nkjv)

The lie was a big one. Trying to cover the tracks of my transgression from my mother, I persisted in deceit. Even though she kept asking for the truth, I couldn’t face the pain that it would cause her. Finally, overwhelmed with guilt, I told her the truth. I remember the sadness in her eyes when she heard the words from me. Her sorrow broke my heart.

Even then, my pride was strong. Not wanting to face her grief borne from broken trust, I decided to leave home. I thought it was the only option. I thought the pain in my heart would find some relief when I moved out, but I couldn’t escape the empty moments filling each day—an emptiness created by fractured relationship with my mother.

Unable to shake the sorrow and pain, humility finally overcame pride, and I decided to go home. I didn’t call to let her know I was coming. I just showed up. Nervously and fearfully, I opened the front door. Even though my mother wasn’t home, instant peace settled inside me. Walking through the hallway toward my room, I found comfort in the home that I had left. I walked into my room, and my heart was overcome with the sight that greeted me. On my bed were gifts, clothes, food, and “happies” that my mother had bought, waiting for me to come back to the warm embrace of my mother’s love.

I sat down and wrote her a note, filled with true confession from a broken heart to a heart that I had broken. My mother forgave me with extravagant love, welcoming me home as her precious child. For three months, Mother and I shared life together. We laughed and cried together. We shopped and traveled together. For three months, God granted me the gift of restored relationship with my mother before she went to be with Jesus in heaven. What a gift from God through the forgiving heart of my mother!

Today is the day to restore relationship with God and others through true confession from a broken heart. As my mother embraced me with forgiving love, God waits patiently for us to come to Him with a heart humbled by our sin. The gifts of His grace are waiting for our return.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness! Please help me to freely offer forgiveness just as I have been forgiven. In Jesus’ name, amen.