I Will Treat You As If You Have Never Been Away

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Abraham Lincoln was once asked how he was going to treat the rebellious southerners when they had finally been defeated and had returned to the Union of the United States. The questioner expected that Lincoln would seek vengeance, but he answered, 'I will treat them as if they had never been away.'"

This is just the way that God treats us: as if we had never been away. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, when the sons caused insult to their father, the father ignored the insults. The younger son's request includes the unspoken wish that his father would die soon. Then he sells his father's tradition down the river by feeding the swine. And how does the father respond? "While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him." And then there is the refusal of the older son to come inside the house. And how does the father respond to this insult? Once again, "his father came out and began to plead with him." What a revelation Jesus is making about what God is like! God's love is unconditional.

This week, I responded to three trauma calls that included the suicide of a young adult, the drowning of a child and the death of a kindergarten student in need of a heart and lung transplant.

You might ask, where was the unconditional love of God to help these children? God’s love was present in the young coworker who felt something was wrong when her young friend did not come to work. She contacted 911 and through her tears learned that he had taken his life. He had suffered the death of his parents and his children and girlfriend had left him. In her tears, she shared memories of his humor and wonderful personality.  Then God was in the hospital room when the teachers came to say their good byes to their precious kindergarten student. It brought back memories to one staff whose sister had died from the same school. She shared how she and her mom would take her sister for walks at the mall to get a hot dog and see the dogs at the pet store. 

There is a painting by the Dutch artist Rembrandt called “The Prodigal Son.” As you view the painting, you notice the hands of the old father pressing his returning boy to his chest. God is here because you see forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, safety, rest and being at home.

Isn't that what we all yearn for, someplace where we can rest our weary heads? Someone who will take our cares upon themselves and give us peace? Someone who will forgive us our sins, no matter how grave they are, as long as we are truly repentant of them?

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends, that the one image of God that we should carry through this Lenten season and with us for the rest of our lives is that of the loving, caring Father of the Prodigal Son. Let us bring our cares to Him and learn to "let go and let God".