Day 15 – Homecoming

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” (Luke 15: 25-32)

There was a mission in town, throughout which the faithful congregation struggled with the outward focus of it all. On the final evening there was an invitation to any to come forward as a mark of new commitment to Christ. There was a pause and then, to the surprise of all, one of the most respected, lifelong church members walked rapidly up the aisle, nervous and tearful. She told of a homecoming. “I have been running for 20 years,” she said.

(Extract from Dust & Glory by David Runcorn)

 For Reflection

Do you ever ask yourself ‘what if I had made a different choice?’ Has your answer changed over the years?

 Prayer

Lord, I wish to live all that is yet unlived in me.

Homecoming - The Gambia - bringing the water (DS)