Waiting For God

Jesus told a parable, often called “The Prodigal Son,” about a young man who, though his father was alive, insisted on his inheritance. The son left home immediately, spent frivolously, and wound up destitute. But the parable would be better titled The Patient Father, for the man who waited for his beloved son to come to his senses. Dragging home defeated, the wayward son found a father full of compassion, ready to reinstate him as his son.

So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe —the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! Luke 15:20-24 (NRSV)

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I can only imagine, Lord, how long you watched and yearned for the whiff of dust or sign of my return. I am embarrassed now to tell you my story–about my rigid defiance, unyielding arrogance . . . how I acted on deep drives and needs that left me worse off than before. Home was stifling, I thought—a prison to my free spirit. Thank you for waiting, Lord.

And now I find myself waiting, wanting to be to others the father you are to me: wise, forbearing, seeing beyond what I was to what I could be. Give me the eyes to see what you see in the people around me—as you did for me. Lord, teach me the fine art of waiting. Amen.