Where we are

     I am so thankful to have a God who picks us up where we are, and not where we should be.  Thinking of the prodigal son......you know the story.  The kid who demands his due and then goes off to party.  I am sure the party lasted a while, and I am sure he had a good time.  Sin can be like that (for a season).  Its easy to live life oblivious to God when He has not stripped you bare.....but the day came when the money was gone, the drinks had dried up, and the prostitutes had moved onto the next guy.  The son was alone.  He had spent everything and was left destitute.  So he devises a plan to stay on in his rebellion, "I'll get a job" he says to himself.  Working for a local swine farmer in a foreign land.  Watching the pigs eat.  The smell is enough to turn his stomach, but he sees no way out.  If only he could eat some of those husks......just a bite.  If only there was some way of making this whole mess right.  If only he could go home.  The smell of his mothers fresh baked bread, the warm clean sheets.  "Yeah" he thinks; "Mom will take me back....but father?" 
     So he begins the trek home..... rehearsing his speech over and over.  "Father I have sinned against you."  He wonders if Dad will go for it.  He has made a fool of himself, and thinks he is no longer worthy to be called a son.  He beats himself up for all of this sin.  How ugly, and how wicked he has been.  How could he ever make this right?  When he reaches the drive way, his cloths are torn and filthy, he looks up to see the old man running toward him with wild eyes.  All he hears is "my son, my son."
     So it is with all of us.  We are the prodigal son.  We killed Jesus.  We ate the fruit.  We demanded our due and left for vanity fair.  We walked the road of hunger, misery, deceit, and lust.  We cheated with David and persecuted with Paul.  We gave our best effort and found nothing but God..   ...calling....... "my son, my son."