What I learned in church..."A Lost Son and Loving Father"

I'm sure everyone is familiar or has heard about the prodigal son story: the second son requested his inheritance from his father before time only to waste his money on "careless" or "wild living" in a foreign land until he had nothing else, which coincided with a famine; and the young man found himself as a hired worker among the swines. Fortunately, the son "came to his senses" while desiring the food that the swine enjoyed and he realized what type of lifestyle he had before leaving home with his Father to pursue his own will. I think everyone can relate or draw some type of comparison to this story in some kind of way. Personally speaking, I grew up in a family with christian values: supportive parents and loving siblings. However, when I went away to UNC-Charlotte I did not totally "wild out", but I was living contrary to the beliefs in which were instilled while I was a youth. I traveled down the road of disobedience for some time, but eventually I was enlightened by the Truth aka the Word of God, the Bible and "came to my senses" and realized what I needed to do in order to get back and stay on track with a lifestyle that was both pleasing and worthy in the sight of the Heavenly Father. Pastor Michael A. Stevens left us with "3 Major actions/responsibilities from the son" which included: he came to himself, he arose and went back home, he confessed "I have sinned!". Then, Pastor Stevens gave four comparisons of how the father's response (actions/responsibilities) looked in the prodigal son story. The first, the father saw the son afar off; secondly, he had compassion on the son; thirdly, he fell on him and kissed him affirmation; and finally he reassured the disgruntled older brother. The message was very empowering. I would also like to note that the father provided four important items to the "lost son" that included the fattest calf, a ring, a robe, and sandals. All of the items represent something of importance, for example, the fattest calf was not a small rotisserie chicken from Blooms that the father asked the servants to prepare; to celebrate his son's return home. It was the father demonstrating his love towards his son that no matter what he had done in his life. The father always stands, watches, and will provide him with the best...Why? because of LOVE. The ring had great significance it represents sonship with the father, a covenant between the two and it was the seal of approval from the father; that no matter what the son had done as long as the son could come to his senses and "confess" his sin, the father would take him back as a son. I believe Jesus Christ has done this with ALL of believers at some point and continues to do so with those who have gone astray. Now as believers, it is our duty as sons and daughters of the Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father to TRUST and BELIEVE, HE knows what is best for us in the long run and if we have gone away it is never to late to decide to come back home.....Amen.

LaDonte' K. Lee